High rate of Healthcare Associated Infections in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Point Prevalence Survey Highlighting Neonatal and Paediatric Vulnerability.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major patient safety threat globally, with high burdens in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Nigeria, data on HAIs are limited, affecting effective infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies. This study evaluated the prevalence, types, and risk factors of HAIs at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) using the Global Point Prevalence Survey (GPPS) HAIs section. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional point prevalence survey was conducted from 21-25 October 2024 across all inpatient wards using standardised GPPS protocols. All patients admitted before 08:00 on survey days were included. Data were collected on the presence of HAIs, infection types, invasive device use, prior hospitalisations, surgery during admission, and severity of underlying conditions using the McCabe score. Comparisons between patients with and without HAI were made using chi square. RESULTS: Among 262 inpatients, HAI prevalence was 14.5% (38/262), with significantly higher prevalence in paediatric/neonatal wards than adult wards (31.0% vs 11.4%; p = 0.001). Common HAIs included other infections (6.5%), bloodstream infections (5.3%), and surgical-site infections (2.7%). HAIs were associated with peripheral vascular catheter use, surgery, and fatal McCabe score. Peripheral vascular catheters were most frequently used (78.2%), followed by urinary (27.1%) and central venous catheters (1.5%). CONCLUSION: UDUTH revealed a high rate of HAIs, particularly affecting vulnerable children and neonatal populations, with bloodstream infections among the most reported types. These findings underscore an urgent need for improved IPC programmes, strengthened surveillance systems, targeted interventions in high risk wards, and enhanced diagnostic capacity to guide HAIs prevention strategies.