BMJ Glob Health. 2025 Dec 19;10(12):e018265. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018265.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: More than 75% of the global population resides in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where healthcare-associated infection rates are notably higher than in high-income countries. Little is known about the professional experiences, perceptions and needs of infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology professionals (IPHEP) practising in these countries.
METHODS: A voluntary and anonymous online survey of IPHEP in LMICs was conducted via open invitations on social media and email from October 2022 to January 2023. The survey covered five domains: (1) Survey Responders, Practice Setting and Programme Characteristics; (2) Job Responsibilities, Training and Professional Development; (3) Workload and Work Environment; (4) COVID-19 Response; and (5) Priorities and Needs. Descriptive statistics were generated for the total sample and each World Bank region.
RESULTS: The number of survey respondents was 148, who represented 28/138 (20.3%) LMICs. They reported receiving formal training in infection prevention (80/94, 85.1%), antimicrobial stewardship (44/94, 46.8%), quality improvement and patient safety tools (55/94, 58.5%) and leadership (37/94, 39.4%). Importantly, 48.8% (42/86) reported job burnout. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 55/102 (53.9%) respondents reported their programme as effective or extremely effective, and 58/102 (56.9%) reported moderate or extreme financial hardship for their facility. Hand hygiene, improving antibiotic use and preventing multidrug-resistant organisms were ranked as top three priorities to be addressed, with specific resource needs identified for each programme by 89.0%, 95.0% and 93.8% of the survey respondents, respectively.
CONCLUSION: This survey provides crucial insights into the realities faced by IPHEP in LMICs, emphasising the critical need for developing and strengthening workforce, supporting their organisational environments, allocating resources strategically for infection prevention and control initiatives, as well as improving their connectivity with other IPHEP colleagues across the world to foster greater collaboration and support.
PMID:41419247 | PMC:PMC12716524 | DOI:10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018265