The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67817

Hilary Francis mwale, MPA BA¹, Anna Chirwa, BSCNrS, RN, RM², Mary Kaoma, MPH, BSc, RM³, and chilandu mukuka chilaika, MPH, MD². (1) ZIHPSERV, Zambia Integrated Health Program, PO BOX 37230, Longacres, Lusaka, 10100, Zambia, (2) ZIHPSERV, Zambia Integrated Health Programme / John Snow Inc., Box 37230, Los Angeles Blvd., Long Acres, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia, 260-1-254552 ext. 204, annac@zihp.org.zm, (3) Zambia Integrated Health Programme, PO BOX 37230, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia

The baseline results from the General Nursing Council M&E system on Infection Prevention (IP) showed a very blurred picture of both IP practices and availability of IP equipment & supplies in all the 15 sentinel sites in Zambia. The Zambia Integrated Health Programme (ZIHP) funded the set-up of the M&E sentinel sites and the collection of the baseline data. The results showed that IP indicators were poor in all the sentinel sites, both in terms of IP performance by nurses (average 43.1%) and availability of IP equipment and supplies (average 52.4%). These results led to the re-emphasis on IP training and generally behavioral change for nursing staff in selected health institutions. The significance of the IP situation led to ZIHP investing 2 years funding in IP training/behavioral change. By June 2003, the first results of the IP training/behavioral change results will be collected and disseminated to all stakeholders. The intension of this dissemination is to share experiences and lessons learnt to the rest of the global health community.

Learning Objectives:

• The participants will:-
• 1.acquire skills on how to develop a cost effective Infection Prevention skills building and behavioral change training programme for health practitioners in developing countries.
• 2.learn how a health civil society organisation can work with government health facilities to improve Infection Prevention in health facilities.
• 3.Learn how to plan, cooordinate and monitor the Infection Prevention skills building and behavioural change programme.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment