Stethoscope disinfection campaign in a Nigerian teaching hospital:results of a before-and-after study

Authors

  • Chigozie Jesse Uneke Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Chinwendu Daniel Ndukwe Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Kingsley Onuora Nwakpu Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Richard C Nnabu Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Cletus Duhu Ugwuoru Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
  • Nittita Prasopa-Plaizier The World Health Organization Patient Safety Research Programme, Geneva, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.2696

Keywords:

stethoscope, disinfection, campaign, hand rub

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the impact of a stethoscope disinfection sensitization campaign among doctors and nurses in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Methodology: The design was a before-and-after study. Pre-program measurements were used to provide a baseline against which the post-program results were compared. Interventions that promoted compliance with stethoscope disinfection practice that were implemented included training and education on stethoscope disinfection and introduction of 70% isopropyl alcohol disinfectant at points-of-care places. Microbiological assessment of stethoscopes used by health workers was conducted after the intervention and the outcome was compared with the pilot study results.

Results: After the intervention, of the 89 stethoscopes screened, 18 (20.2%) were contaminated with bacterial agents. A higher prevalence of stethoscope contamination was observed among stethoscopes from the intensive care unit (66.7%), the VIP unit (50%), and the antenatal unit (37.5%). The main isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (44.4%) and Escherichia coli (50%). The antibiotic sensitivity assessment indicated that the bacterial isolates were resistant to nearly all the antibiotics tested. All the 89 health workers whose stethoscopes were screened after the intervention admitted to cleaning their stethoscopes after seeing each patient, representing a compliance rate of 100%, unlike the 15% compliance at the pilot phase. The baseline stethoscope contamination rate was 78.5% versus 20.2% post-intervention.

Conclusions: Training and education and introduction of alcohol-based disinfectants inexpensive but very effective methods to improve stethoscope disinfection compliance among health workers in low-income settings.

Author Biographies

Chigozie Jesse Uneke, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology

Faculty of Clinical Medicine

Ebonyi State University

PMB 053 Abakaliki Nigeria.

Rank: Senior Lecturer

Chinwendu Daniel Ndukwe, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Dept of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University PMB 053 Abakaliki Nigeria

Consultant Physician

Kingsley Onuora Nwakpu, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology

Faculty of Clinical Medicine,

Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria

 

Lecturer II

Richard C Nnabu, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Dept of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University PMB 053 Abakaliki Nigeria

Registrar (Resident Doctor)

Cletus Duhu Ugwuoru, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Department of Medical Microbiology/Parasitology

Faculty of Clinical Medicine

Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria

Assistant Chief Laboratory Technologist

Nittita Prasopa-Plaizier, The World Health Organization Patient Safety Research Programme, Geneva, Switzerland

The World Health Organization Patient Safety Research Programme      Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211 Geneva 27

Technical Officer

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Published

2014-01-15

How to Cite

1.
Uneke CJ, Ndukwe CD, Nwakpu KO, Nnabu RC, Ugwuoru CD, Prasopa-Plaizier N (2014) Stethoscope disinfection campaign in a Nigerian teaching hospital:results of a before-and-after study. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:086–093. doi: 10.3855/jidc.2696

Issue

Section

Original Articles