Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common postoperative complications. Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) can prevent the occurrence of SSIs if administered appropriately. We carried out a retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence of SSIs and assess whether SAP were administered according to WHO guidelines for Caesarean section (CS) and herniorrhaphy patients in Bo regional government hospital from November 2019 to October 2020. The analysis included 681 patients (599 CSs and 82 herniorrhaphies). Overall, the SSI rate was 6.7% among all patients, and 7.5% and 1.2% among CS patients and herniorrhaphy patients, respectively. SAP was administered preoperatively in 85% of CS and 70% of herniorrhaphy patients. Postoperative antibiotics were prescribed to 85% of CS and 100% of herniorrhaphy patients. Ampicillin, metronidazole, and amoxicillin were the most commonly used antibiotics. The relatively low rate of SSIs observed in this study is probably due to improved infection prevention and control (IPC) measures following the Ebola outbreak and the current COVID-19 pandemic. A good compliance rate with WHO guidelines for preoperative SAP was observed. However, there was a high use of postoperative antibiotics, which is not in line with WHO guidelines. Recommendations were made to ensure the appropriate administration of SAP and reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Setting: The 82 public health facilities of rural Kailahun District, Sierra Leone. Objective: The 2014–2015 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone led the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and stakeholders to set minimum standards of staffing (medical/non-medical) for a basic package of essential health services (BPEHS). No district-level information exists on staffing levels in relation to the Ebola outbreak. We examined the staffing levels before the Ebola outbreak, during the last month of the outbreak and 4 months after the outbreak, as well as Ebola-related deaths among health care workers (HCWs). Design: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Results: Of 805 recommended medical staff (the minimum requirement for 82 health facilities), there were deficits of 539 (67%) pre-Ebola, 528 (65%) during the Ebola outbreak and 501 (62%) post-Ebola, hovering at staff shortages of >50% at all levels of health facilities. Of the 569 requisite non-medical staff, the gap remained consistent, at 92%, in the three time periods. Of the 1374 overall HCWs recommended by the BPEHS, the current staff shortage is 1026 (75%). Of 321 facility-based HCWs present during Ebola, there were 15 (14 medical and one non-medical staff) Ebola-related and three non-Ebola related deaths among HCWs. Conclusion: The post-Ebola health-related human resource deficit is alarmingly high, with very few staff available to work. We call for urgent political will, resources and international collaboration to address this situation.

Introduction: Good Infection prevention and control (IPC) is vital for tackling antimicrobial resistance and limiting health care-associated infections. We compared IPC performance before (2019) and during the COVID-19 (2021) era at the national IPC unit and all regional (4) and district hospitals (8) in Sierra Leone. Methods: Cross-sectional assessments using standardized World Health Organizations IPC checklists. IPC performance scores were graded as inadequate = 0–25%, basic = 25.1–50%, intermediate = 50.1–75%, and advanced = 75.1–100%. Results: Overall performance improved from ‘basic’ to ‘intermediate’ at the national IPC unit (41% in 2019 to 58% in 2021) and at regional hospitals (37% in 2019 to 54% in 2021) but remained ‘basic’ at district hospitals (37% in 2019 to 50% in 2021). Priority gaps at the national IPC unit included lack of: a dedicated IPC budget, monitoring the effectiveness of IPC trainings and health care-associated infection surveillance. Gaps at hospitals included no assessment of hospital staffing needs, inadequate infrastructure for IPC and lack of a well-defined monitoring plan with clear goals, targets and activities. Conclusion: Although there is encouraging progress in IPC performance, it is slower than desired in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is urgent need to mobilize political will, leadership and resources and make a quantum leap forward.

Background: High compliance to infection prevention and control (IPC) is vital to prevent health care-associated infections. In the worst 2014–2015 Ebola-affected district in Sierra Leone (Kenema), we assessed (a) average yearly IPC compliance (2016–2018) using a National IPC assessment tool in the district hospital and peripheral health units (PHUs), and (b) gaps in IPC activities, infrastructure and consumables in 2018. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using secondary program data. Results: At the district hospital, compliance increased from 69% in 2016 to 73% in 2018 (expected minimal threshold = 70%; desired threshold ≥ 85%). Compliance for screening/isolation facilities and decontamination of medical equipment reached 100% in 2018. The two thematic areas with the lowest compliance were sanitation (44%) and sharps safety (56%). In PHUs (2018), the minimal 70% compliance threshold was not achieved in two (of 10 thematic areas) for Community Health Centers, four for Community Health Posts, and five for Maternal and Child Health Units. The lowest compliance was for screening and isolation facilities (range: 33–53%). Conclusion: This baseline assessment is an eye opener of what is working and what is not, and can be used to galvanize political, financial, and material resources to bridge the existing gaps.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection due to their role in caring for patients. Despite reports of HCW infections in Sierra Leone, little information exists on the extent and risk factors for infection in healthcare settings. We assessed the extent and risk factors for COVID-19 infection among HCWs exposed to COVID-19 patients at three regional hospitals in Sierra Leone. Methods: We conducted a case-ascertained prospective study in Bo, Kenema, and Port Loko Regional Hospitals from May to July 2020. We recruited and followed HCWs who were exposed to confirmed COVID-19 patients. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, clinical presentation, exposures and contact information. Infection status was determined by laboratory detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swab samples. We assessed risk factors using Poisson regression with robust error variance.