Background: Hand hygiene is a critical preventive measure for controlling infections, particularly in underdeveloped nations. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, from January to March 2024. This study aimed to assess compliance with hand hygiene practices and related factors among healthcare professionals. Results: The study population comprised 52% men and 47.3% women. Most participants held bachelor’s degrees, with the majority being nurses or midwives. A significant proportion had over five years of work experience. Almost all participants were knowledgeable about hand hygiene. Most reported cleaning and drying their hands before, during, and after contact with bodily fluids during aseptic procedures. Age, gender, educational status, marriage, working experience, type of occupation, receiving hand hygiene training and knowledge, and having the availability of water, soap, alcohol, and gloves significantly affected the overall uptake of infection control measures in Mogadishu (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The findings highlight an urgent need for targeted interventions to enhance hand hygiene practices in Somalia. Addressing training gaps and resource shortages is crucial for reducing infection rates and safeguarding patient health in this high-risk setting.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates in ad

Background: Mycetoma is a public health problem with a high prevalence in Africa. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 cases presenting at a tertiary care research hospital, retrospectively (cases we visited and followed up between November 2022 and March 2023) and prospectively between 1 August and 30 September 2024. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, physical examination findings, and diagnostic methods were reported. Results: Out of 50 patients, 76% were male and 24% were female. The mean age (mean ± SD) of all cases was 35.50 ± 15.14. The most affected occupational group was farmers (44%). All patients presented with complaints of swelling. Symptoms continued for > 1–5 years in about 30 percent of cases. The diagnosis was made by pathological biopsy in 62% of the cases. The lower extremities were most commonly affected (80%), and subcutaneous soft tissue and muscle involvement was also commonly encountered. Bone involvement was higher in eumycetoma cases as compared to actinomycetoma. Conclusion: The frequency of myçetoma cases, which can involve all parts of the lower extremities, was determined, especially in Somali farmers. Difficulties in diagnosis and follow‐up were analyzed.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections in neonates and contribute substantially to mor

Aims: Although HIV/AIDS was first identified in 1981, negative prejudices toward individuals living with this disease remain widespread. These stigmas create significant barriers, causing patients to conceal their condition, which in turn disrupts efforts for effective disease control, management, and treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 301 participants, including physicians, nurses, midwives, health technicians, and laboratory staff working in our hospital, using an anonymous survey method. The study consisted of three sections and a total of 57 questions, focusing on participants' demographic information, knowledge about HIV, and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients. The survey was conducted by specialist physicians and general practitioners working in the infectious diseases clinic, as well as by Infection Control Committee nurses. During this process, both outpatient clinics and inpatient wards were visited, and the survey was completed through face-to-face interviews. The survey was carried out over a period of approximately two months. Results: The knowledge level of healthcare workers (HCWs) who participated in the survey was significantly higher than their positive biases (p

“Filariasis is a chronic, mosquito‐borne parasitic infection. Chronic infection can lead to swelling of extremities, hydroceles, and testicular masses.” Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the frequency and distribution of filariasis in Somalia. Methods: Patients were assessed using clinical examination, cytology, peripheral blood smears, and Doppler ultrasonography. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS V23. Results were presented as tables, graphs, and frequencies (%). Result: A total of 22 cases of lymphatic filariasis were assessed in our hospital’s infectious diseases department during follow‐up from March 2018 to December 2023. When the regions of residence of the cases were questioned, it was found that a high proportion of the cases were presented from the same region (Mog‐86%). To a lesser extent, there were applicants from different regions. When the occupations of the cases were questioned, the majority were retired or housewives. When the presenting complaints and physical examination findings were analyzed, it was observed that the right or left extremity, or both, was usually affected. Swelling was the predominant presenting symptom. Genital involvement was detected in about 41% of cases. More than half of them had a history of mosquito bites. Conclusion: Given LF’s effects on public health, it remains an important public health problem in Somalia.