ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is a cornerstone for effective
infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. The objective was to evaluate the
coverage and methods of HAI surveillance in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)
countries.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study targeted IPC staff working in MENA countries using the Infection
Control Network electronic database of the Arab countries. The study focused on self-reported
surveillance-related characteristics of IPC staff, facilities, and the IPC program.
RESULTS
A total of 269 IPC staff were included. They were mainly females (68%), nurses (63%),
and working in GCC countries (83%). Approximately 69% of covered facilities had surveillance
activities. Hand hygiene, multidrug-resistant organisms, central line-associated bloodstream
infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections were the most common
surveillance activities (>90%). The surveillance workload consumed 27% of the average
weekly working time. The scores of performing multiple surveillance, with appropriate
methods and tools, were 83%, 67%, and 61% (respectively). Appropriate surveillance
methods and/or tools were linked to GCC region, CBIC qualifications, surveillance
training, specific setting (acute care and long term), staff-to-bed ratio, presence
and active function of IPC committee, presence of IPC annual plan, communications
with healthcare workers, and leadership support.
CONCLUSIONS
While most healthcare facilities in the MENA region perform multiple surveillance,
surveillance methods and tools are still suboptimal and their optimization should
be a priority.
KEYWORDS
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