Strengthening Community-Driven Infection Prevention to Combat AMR in Kenya, 2024
Background: Kenya faces a significant burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR),
exacerbated by s... more Background: Kenya faces a significant burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by suboptimal infection prevention and control practices. Recognizing the need for innovative, context-appropriate solutions, this study explored the feasibility and impact of a community-based infection prevention model in two Kenyan counties. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024. The research team employed a participatory action research approach, working closely with community leaders, healthcare workers, and residents to co-create tailored infection prevention strategies. The study design included: 1. Ethnographic assessments to map community hygiene practices, healthcareseeking behaviors, and social dynamics 2. Establishment of community-based infection prevention committees to spearhead strategy development 3. Training of community health volunteers as infection prevention champions 4. Pilot implementation of the community-driven model in two counties, with prepost evaluation 5. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions to assess acceptability and feasibility Results: The study engaged over 800 community members across the two counties. Ethnographic assessments revealed several locally-relevant infection prevention practices, including the use of traditional medicinal plants and communal water sources. Based on these insights, the community committees developed context-specific protocols, such as hand hygiene campaigns at community water points and safe food handling workshops in local markets. Pre-post evaluation demonstrated a 35% increase in hand hygiene compliance and a 28% reduction in healthcare-associated infections in pilot facilities. Qualitative findings indicated high acceptability of the community-driven model, with participants highlighting enhanced ownership, trust, and sustainability. Key challenges included coordinating between diverse stakeholders and securing consistent funding. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a community-based approach to infection prevention can be an effective, culturally relevant strategy to combat AMR in Kenya. By empowering local stakeholders as partners, the model leverages indigenous knowledge and community assets to strengthen infection control. The findings have significant public health implications, underscoring the need to prioritize community engagement in the global AMR response. Scaling up this approach across Kenya and adapting it to other African settings could yield meaningful improvements in infection prevention and AMR mitigation
Strengthening Community-Driven Infection Prevention to Combat AMR in Kenya, 2024
Background: Kenya faces a significant burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR),
exacerbated by s... more Background: Kenya faces a significant burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), exacerbated by suboptimal infection prevention and control practices. Recognizing the need for innovative, context-appropriate solutions, this study explored the feasibility and impact of a community-based infection prevention model in two Kenyan counties. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024. The research team employed a participatory action research approach, working closely with community leaders, healthcare workers, and residents to co-create tailored infection prevention strategies. The study design included: 1. Ethnographic assessments to map community hygiene practices, healthcareseeking behaviors, and social dynamics 2. Establishment of community-based infection prevention committees to spearhead strategy development 3. Training of community health volunteers as infection prevention champions 4. Pilot implementation of the community-driven model in two counties, with prepost evaluation 5. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions to assess acceptability and feasibility Results: The study engaged over 800 community members across the two counties. Ethnographic assessments revealed several locally-relevant infection prevention practices, including the use of traditional medicinal plants and communal water sources. Based on these insights, the community committees developed context-specific protocols, such as hand hygiene campaigns at community water points and safe food handling workshops in local markets. Pre-post evaluation demonstrated a 35% increase in hand hygiene compliance and a 28% reduction in healthcare-associated infections in pilot facilities. Qualitative findings indicated high acceptability of the community-driven model, with participants highlighting enhanced ownership, trust, and sustainability. Key challenges included coordinating between diverse stakeholders and securing consistent funding. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a community-based approach to infection prevention can be an effective, culturally relevant strategy to combat AMR in Kenya. By empowering local stakeholders as partners, the model leverages indigenous knowledge and community assets to strengthen infection control. The findings have significant public health implications, underscoring the need to prioritize community engagement in the global AMR response. Scaling up this approach across Kenya and adapting it to other African settings could yield meaningful improvements in infection prevention and AMR mitigation
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exacerbated by suboptimal infection prevention and control practices. Recognizing the
need for innovative, context-appropriate solutions, this study explored the feasibility and
impact of a community-based infection prevention model in two Kenyan counties.
Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024.
The research team employed a participatory action research approach, working closely
with community leaders, healthcare workers, and residents to co-create tailored infection
prevention strategies. The study design included:
1. Ethnographic assessments to map community hygiene practices, healthcareseeking behaviors, and social dynamics
2. Establishment of community-based infection prevention committees to
spearhead strategy development
3. Training of community health volunteers as infection prevention champions
4. Pilot implementation of the community-driven model in two counties, with prepost evaluation
5. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions to assess acceptability and
feasibility
Results: The study engaged over 800 community members across the two counties.
Ethnographic assessments revealed several locally-relevant infection prevention
practices, including the use of traditional medicinal plants and communal water sources.
Based on these insights, the community committees developed context-specific
protocols, such as hand hygiene campaigns at community water points and safe food
handling workshops in local markets.
Pre-post evaluation demonstrated a 35% increase in hand hygiene compliance and a
28% reduction in healthcare-associated infections in pilot facilities. Qualitative findings
indicated high acceptability of the community-driven model, with participants
highlighting enhanced ownership, trust, and sustainability. Key challenges included
coordinating between diverse stakeholders and securing consistent funding.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a community-based approach to infection
prevention can be an effective, culturally relevant strategy to combat AMR in Kenya. By
empowering local stakeholders as partners, the model leverages indigenous knowledge
and community assets to strengthen infection control. The findings have significant
public health implications, underscoring the need to prioritize community engagement
in the global AMR response. Scaling up this approach across Kenya and adapting it to
other African settings could yield meaningful improvements in infection prevention and
AMR mitigation
exacerbated by suboptimal infection prevention and control practices. Recognizing the
need for innovative, context-appropriate solutions, this study explored the feasibility and
impact of a community-based infection prevention model in two Kenyan counties.
Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024.
The research team employed a participatory action research approach, working closely
with community leaders, healthcare workers, and residents to co-create tailored infection
prevention strategies. The study design included:
1. Ethnographic assessments to map community hygiene practices, healthcareseeking behaviors, and social dynamics
2. Establishment of community-based infection prevention committees to
spearhead strategy development
3. Training of community health volunteers as infection prevention champions
4. Pilot implementation of the community-driven model in two counties, with prepost evaluation
5. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions to assess acceptability and
feasibility
Results: The study engaged over 800 community members across the two counties.
Ethnographic assessments revealed several locally-relevant infection prevention
practices, including the use of traditional medicinal plants and communal water sources.
Based on these insights, the community committees developed context-specific
protocols, such as hand hygiene campaigns at community water points and safe food
handling workshops in local markets.
Pre-post evaluation demonstrated a 35% increase in hand hygiene compliance and a
28% reduction in healthcare-associated infections in pilot facilities. Qualitative findings
indicated high acceptability of the community-driven model, with participants
highlighting enhanced ownership, trust, and sustainability. Key challenges included
coordinating between diverse stakeholders and securing consistent funding.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a community-based approach to infection
prevention can be an effective, culturally relevant strategy to combat AMR in Kenya. By
empowering local stakeholders as partners, the model leverages indigenous knowledge
and community assets to strengthen infection control. The findings have significant
public health implications, underscoring the need to prioritize community engagement
in the global AMR response. Scaling up this approach across Kenya and adapting it to
other African settings could yield meaningful improvements in infection prevention and
AMR mitigation