Tuberculosis infection control measures in healthcare facilities in Moyen-Ogooué Province, Gabon

BMC Health Services Research

Abraham Alabi¹  Akim A. Adegnika²  Jean-Ronald Edoa²  Marguerite Massinga-Loembe²  Anja Vigenschow²  Bayodé Romeo Adegbite³  Martin P. Grobusch⁴ 

[1] Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon;Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon;Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany;Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon;Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany;Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné and African Partner Institution, German Center for Infection Research (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon;Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany;Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands;Masanga Medical Research Unit, Masanga, Sierra Leone;Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa;

关键词: Tuberculosis;    Infection control;    Healthcare facility;    Healthcare workers;    Gabon;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12913-021-07236-z

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCW) are at higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. We assessed healthcare facilities for their TB infection control standards and priorities.MethodsA standardised tool was applied. The assessment was conducted by direct observation, documents review and interviews with the facility heads.ResultsTwenty healthcare facilities were assessed; 17 dispensaries, an HIV-clinic, a private not-for-profit hospital and a public regional hospital. In both hospitals, outpatient departments, internal medicine wards, paediatric wards, emergency departments; and the MDR-TB unit of the public regional hospital were assessed. In Gabon, there are currently no national guidelines for TB infection control (TBIC) in healthcare settings. Consequently, none of the facilities had an infection control plan or TBIC focal point. In three departments of two facilities (2/20 facilities), TB patients and presumed TB cases were observed to be consistently provided with surgical masks. One structure reported to regularly test some of its personnel for TB. Consultation rooms were adequately ventilated in six primary care level facilities (6/17 dispensaries) and in none of the hospitals, due to the use of air conditioning. Adequate personal protective equipment was not provided regularly by the facilities and was only found to be supplied in the MDR-TB unit and one of the paediatric wards.ConclusionsIn Moyen-Ogooué province, implementation of TBIC in healthcare settings is generally low. Consequently, HCW are not sufficiently protected and therefore at risk for M. tuberculosis infection. There is an urgent need for national TBIC guidelines and training of health workers to safeguard implementation.

【 授权许可】

CC BY