Journal of infection in developing countries
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2009
The potential role of mobile phones in the spread of bacterial infections.
Mobile phones are indispensable accessories both professionally and socially but they are frequently used in environments of high bacteria presence. This study determined the potential role of mobile phones in the dissemination of diseases. ⋯ Mobile phones may serve as vehicles of transmission of both hospital and community-acquired bacterial diseases. Strict adherence to infection control, such as hand washing, is advocated.
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Compliance with hand hygiene recommendations is the most important measure in preventing health care-associated infections. The objective of this study was to assess the nature of patient contact and the hand hygiene practices of nurses and physicians in the neonatal intensive care unit in a tertiary hospital in Ghana. ⋯ Hand hygiene compliance of physicians and nurses was low. Gloves and alcohol rub were not used according to recommended guidelines. Incorporating effective education programs that improve adherence to hand hygiene guidelines into the continuing education curriculum of health professionals is recommended.
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Apr 2008
Acute bacterial meningitis among children < 5 years of age in Oman: a retrospective study during 2000-2005.
During the last two decades, significant changes have taken place in the epidemiology of meningitis, especially due to the global availability and expanding use of Hib vaccines. The introduction of conjugate Hib vaccine in the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in Oman and recent availability of meningococcal vaccines against serogroups A and C plus the introduction of pneumococcal heptavalent conjugate vaccine are expected to influence the epidemiology of the disease in the country. We conducted this periodic review of acute bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age in Oman from January 2000 to December 2005 to reflect changes in the epidemiological pattern of these pathogens. ⋯ With the introduction of Hib vaccine in Oman in October 2001, the absolute number of cases due to Haemophilus influenzae significantly declined over the years. The incidence of meningitis due to other pathogens such as S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis remains steady. There is significant need to improve laboratory methods of bacterial detection and identification, which will help to formulate better antibiotic policies and strengthen control measures through newly introduced vaccines in Oman.
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Enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid fever) is a major human bacterial infection. Although the disease is not common in industrialised countries, it remains an important and persistent health problem in developing nations. Hospital-based studies and outbreak reports from India indicate that enteric fever is a major public health problem in this country, with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. ⋯ Vaccination, which requires strict planning and proper targeting of the vulnerable age groups, is considered to be an effective tool in controlling this disease in endemic areas, given there is development of a conjugate vaccine against both serovars (S. Typhi and S. Para A).
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J Infect Dev Ctries · Jan 2008
Baseline assessment of intensive care-acquired nosocomial infection surveillancein three adult intensive care units in Malaysia.
Nosocomial infections (NIs) have a serious impact on patient outcomes in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). ⋯ Analysis of the rate of the NIs associated with usage of devices in the three ICUs showed that it is highly correlated with the use of mechanical ventilation devices, followed by intravascular devices and usage of indwelling urinary catheters.