RISK OF NOSOCOMIAL MEASLES TRANSMISSION IN AFRICA

Thursday, 31st of May 2012

• RISK OF NOSOCOMIAL MEASLES TRANSMISSION IN AFRICA

This three part series appeared in French in 2006-2007; English abstracts are below.

[Risk of nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa--part 1: background].

[Article in French]

Simon F, Demortiere E, Chadli M, Kraemer P, De Pina JJ.

Source

Service de pathologies infectieuses et tropicales, H�pital d'Instruction des Arm�es Laveran, 13998 Marseille Arm�es. simon-f@wanadoo.fr

Abstract

Nosocomial infection is a risk in any health care setting. A review of recent medical literature shows that there is a paucity of information on nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa. Often misunderstood or denied, nosocomial infection is in reality an underestimated public health problem at most medical facilities even university hospital centers. However most hospitals are confronted with the same financial, structural and logistics difficulties, with limited training and awareness about hospital hygiene among caregivers, and with situations bringing together contagious infections with susceptible subjects. Assessment of the risks for patients and caregivers is a necessary prerequisite for implementing measures to control nosocomial infections in intertropical Africa.

Med Trop (Mars). 2007 Apr;67(2):197-203.

[Risk of nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa--part 2: patient infection].

[Article in French]

Simon F, Kraemer P, De Pina JJ, Demorti�re E, Rapp C.

Source

Service de pathologie infectieuse et tropicale, l'H�pital d'instruction des arm�es Laveran, Marseilles Arm�es. simon-f@wanadoo.fr

Abstract

Patients admitted to hospitals in tropical Africa are at increased risk for nosocomial infection. However accurate description of this risk is difficult due to a lack of published data in the literature. The main promoting factors are poor health care facilities, high microbial levels in the hospital and community environment and generally uncertain health status. Most available information is about neonatal infection. The increasing number of reports involving multiresistant bacteria is evidence of poor hospital sanitation. Infections involving operative incision sites, tuberculosis and respiratory virus transmission are grossly underestimated. Infections transmitted by the parenteral route are probably decreasing due to more widespread use of disposal equipment and adequate transfusion safety measures. Epidemics involving viral hemorrhagic fever are rare but highly publicized events that attest to daily neglect of nosocomial risk factors in some health care facilities

Med Trop (Mars). 2007 Jun;67(3):291-300.

[Risk of nosocomial infection in intertropical Africa--part 3: health care workers].

[Article in French]

Rebaudet S, Kraemer P, Savini H, De Pina JJ, Rapp C, Demortiere F, Simon F.

Source

Service de pathologie infectieuse et tropicale, H�pital d'instruction des arm�es Laveran, 13998 Marseille Arm�es.

Abstract

Parts of the nosocomial infections issue are the professionally-acquired infections of health care workers. This problem is widely neglected in sub-Saharan Africa, and little is known on the subject, in spite of the high prevalence of blood-borne infections such as HIV or hepatitis B and C, and air-borne diseases like tuberculosis. Besides, unsafe practices and accidents like blood exposures are more frequent than in western countries. This is due to the lack of political concern, of safer equipment and of specific teachings. Most of this severe infections' treatments are long, difficult or unavailable in Subsaharan Africa. The loss of contaminated health care workers can then become devastating for their family and the fragile health care structures of those developing countries. Finally, one should not underestimate the risk of infection transmission from health care provider to patient, like in several past outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.