Background: Neonatal sepsis is a major contributor to global under five mortality. In developing countries a major proportion of neonatal sepsis is thought to emanate from the healthcare setting, due to challenges in infection prevention practices. Aim: To study the epidemiology of neonatal sepsis and evaluate the effect of multimodal infection control interventions on the incidence of neonatal sepsis; and colonization by multidrug resistant Gram negative bacteria (MDRGNB). Methods: A controlled before and after interventional trial comprising a 7 month pre- intervention phase, 5 month intervention phase and 7 month post-intervention phase. Neonates admitted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) will be enrolled prospectively and followed up for diagnosis of sepsis and outcome of admission. This will be used to describe the epidemiology of neonatal sepsis. Swabs will be collected from a subpopulation of included neonates at intervention site (KBTH) and control site (37 Military Hospital) NICUs to assess colonization of neonates with MDRGNB. Environmental swabs will be collected from surfaces at the NICU to assess MDRGNB contamination of the environment. The intervention comprises infection prevention strategies including implementation of the WHO multimodal hand hygiene strategy. The primary endpoint is incidence of neonatal sepsis. Expected Outcome: This study will contribute to improved infection prevention practices in the participating NICUs and highlight lessons which other national and regional NICUs may learn from.
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Incidence of neonatal sepsis
Timeframe: Post-intervention at 7 months