Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41699755›Full record

SynthesisJournal of health, population, and nutrition2026

Knowledge and practice towards healthcare-associated infection prevention among healthcare workers in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lidetu Demoze, Amensisa Hailu Tesfaye, Angwach Abrham Asnake, Alemayehu Kasu Gebrehana, Bizunesh Fantahun Kase, Hiwot Altaye Asebe, Mitkie Tigabie, Gelila Yitageasu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of health, population, and nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lidetu DemozeDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. lidetudemoze12@gmail.com.
Amensisa Hailu TesfayeDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Angwach Abrham AsnakeDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
Alemayehu Kasu GebrehanaDepartment of Midwifery, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia.
Bizunesh Fantahun KaseDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
Hiwot Altaye AsebeDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
Mitkie TigabieDepartment of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and laboratory science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gelila YitageasuDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPreventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) depends largely on healthcare workers knowledge and consistent application of infection prevention and control measures. However, despite the availability of global and regional guidelines, significant gaps remain, especially in low-resource settings. In East Africa, existing studies show wide variation in healthcare workers knowledge and practice levels, highlighting inconsistencies in the evidence base. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of healthcare workers towards healthcare-associated infection prevention in East Africa through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

methodThis systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, AJOL, and institutional repositories to identify studies assessing healthcare workers' knowledge and practice regarding HAI prevention in East Africa. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model due to significant heterogeneity, and pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals were reported. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test.

resultsOut of 6,023 identified records, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. These studies, encompassing 11,974 healthcare workers across East African countries, revealed that the pooled prevalence of adequate knowledge regarding HAI prevention was 64.71% (95% CI: 56-72), while the overall prevalence of good infection prevention practices was 55% (95% CI: 50-60). Subgroup analysis indicated that the highest knowledge level was reported in Eritrea (91%), and the lowest in Madagascar (37%). For practice, the highest adherence was observed in Zambia (80%) and the lowest in Sudan (33%). Substantial heterogeneity was noted across studies, prompting further subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

conclusionsThis review found that healthcare workers in East Africa have moderate knowledge and practice levels regarding HAI prevention, with notable variation across countries. To address these gaps, infection prevention and control programs should be strengthened through regular training, adequate resources, and institutional support. Enhanced policy enforcement and further research on country-specific challenges are also recommended.

Indexed as

Cross InfectionHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PersonnelInfection ControlAfrica, EasternHumansHealthcare associated infectionHealthcare workersKnowledgePracticePrevention

Identifiers

PMID41699755
PMCPMC12937516

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.