Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a major public health concern in Uganda, particularly in neonatal and intensive care wards where patients are most vulnerable. In 2022, it was estimated that over 422,000 HAIs occurred in Ugandan hospitals, leading to more than 43,000 preventable deaths. Poor hygiene practices, including limited handwashing and inadequate surface cleaning, contribute significantly to this burden.

The Hospital Cleancare Consortium, led by the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in Uganda, is working in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Uganda Ministry of Health to address this issue. The project focuses on developing and testing “hygiene bundles”, sets of proven hygiene practices that can be adapted for use in hospitals and Health Centre IVs. These bundles aim to improve hand and surface hygiene among healthcare workers in facilities where infection prevention and control measures are often limited or lacking. Through collaboration with experts in hygiene, infection control, and behaviour change, the project will identify barriers to good hygiene practices, select and implement appropriate interventions, and assess their effectiveness in real-world hospital settings. Stakeholder engagement at local and national levels will be central to this process to ensure that findings inform future hygiene guidelines and national policies.

The results of this work will be used to apply for additional funding to rigorously evaluate the impact of the hygiene bundles on health outcomes, including reductions in infection rates. This project contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen Uganda’s healthcare system and reduce avoidable illness and death caused by poor hygiene in hospitals.

• Research Team Members: Maureen Kesande, Dr. Dathan Byonanebye, Victoria Trinies & Carrie Ripkey