Assessment of Mitigation Measures in Preventing Bacterial Infections in Selected Public Health Centres in Akure, Ondo State

Introduction: Hospital acquired infection (or nosocomial) is an infection whose development is favored by hospital environment. They are usually acquired by either a patient during a hospital visit (or when hospitalized), hospital staff or patients’ relatives that visit when the patient is on admission in the hospital. Nosocomial infections can cause severe pneumonia and infection of the urinary tract, wounds, blood stream and other parts of the body. Nosocomial infections are commonly encountered in Africa and in Nigeria in particular. Factors such as hospital hygiene / cleanliness, personal hygiene of patients, overcrowding hospital wards and illiteracy increases the risk of nosocomial infection.

Methods: The assessment of mitigation measures put in place to reduce bacteria present in surfaces of facilities (pillow, bed sheets, door handles, toilet seats and the floor) in wards of selected basic health centres (Arakale, Aule, Ayedun, Isolo, Oba-Ile and Orita-Obele) in Akure was evaluated using both questionnaire and on-sight assessment techniques.

Results: The results showed that there was a direct relationship between the hand washing or sanitizer used and the bacterial load present in the various surfaces examined.

Conclusion: Therefore, adequate ward hygiene in these health centres is necessary to reduce the risk of nosocomial infections for both patients and visitors.