Ebola infection control in Sierra Leonean health clinics: A large cross-agency cooperative project

Am J Infect Control. 2015 Jul 1;43(7):752-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2015.03.011. Epub 2015 Apr 17.

Abstract

The Ebola virus disease outbreak occurring in West Africa has resulted in at least 199 cases of Ebola in Sierra Leonean health care workers, many as a result of transmission occurring in health facilities. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone recognized that improvements in infection prevention and control (IPC) were necessary at all levels of health care delivery. To this end, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United Nations Children's Fund, and multiple nongovernmental organizations implemented a national IPC training program in 1,200 peripheral health units (PHUs) in Sierra Leone. A tiered training of trainers program was used. Trainers conducted multiday trainings at PHUs and coordinated the delivery of personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, masks, boots) and infection control supplies (chlorine, buckets, disposable rags, etc) to all PHU staff. Under the ongoing project, 4,264 health workers have already been trained, and 98% of PHUs have received their first shipment of supplies.

Keywords: Health care workers; Health clinic; Health education; Infection control; Occupational health; Primary health care.

MeSH terms

  • Behavior Therapy
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Education, Medical
  • Health Facilities
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / prevention & control*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control*
  • Sierra Leone / epidemiology