Preventing Hospital-acquired Infections in Low-income and Middle-income Countries: Impact, Gaps, and Opportunities

In low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) health care associated infections (HAIs) are a serious concern. Many factors contribute to the impact in LMIC, including lack of infrastructure, inconsistent surveillance, deficiency in trained personnel and infection control programs, and poverty-related factors. In LMIC the risk of HAIs may be up to 25% of hospitalized patients. Building infection control capacity in LMIC is possible where strategies are tailored to the specific needs of LMIC. Strategies must start with simple, cost-effective measures then expand to include more complicated measures. Goals for short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions should be planned and resources prioritized.