The burden of healthcare-associated infections among pediatrics: a repeated point prevalence survey from Pakistan.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are considered a major threat to public health resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and additional costs. The present study aimed to assess the current patterns and risk factors of HAIs among hospitalized children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three repeated point prevalence surveys were conducted in the pediatric inpatients of four hospitals by using the methodology developed by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. All patients present in the ward at 8:00 AM on the survey day and not discharged from the hospital on the same day were included. A standardized data collection form containing information on the presence of HAIs and the associated risk factors was completed for the patients.

FINDINGS

Out of 888 hospitalized patients, 116 (13.1%) had the symptoms of HAIs. Most common infections were bloodstream infections (BSIs) (32.8%), pneumonia (21.0%), ear, eyes, nose and throat infections (11.8%), and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTs) (19.0%). Factors significantly associated with infections were the length of hospital stay (p = 0.000), admission to the medicine ward (p = 0.034), and male gender (p = 0.010). BSIs were most common in children belonging to the age group of less than one month (78.9%), who were admitted to intensive care units (73.7%). SSTs including surgical site infections were more prevalent in surgery wards (78.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

A high rate of HAIs among pediatrics was found in Pakistan. Infection control and prevention strategies are needed with a major focus on interventions to prevent the spread of most prevalent HAIs.