Standard Precautions Research Articles

Exposure to needlestick injury among healthcare support staff in Greater Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the prevalence and predisposing factors of a needlestick injury (NSI) among healthcare support staff in the Greater Accra region, Ghana.MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional survey was carried...

Magnitude of standard precautions practices among healthcare workers in health facilities of Low and Middle Income Countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Standard precautions are the minimum standard of infection control to prevent transmission of infectious agents, protect healthcare workers, patients, and visitors regardless of infection status. The consistent implementation of standard precautions is highly effective in reducing transmission of pathogens that cause HAIs. Despite their effectiveness, compliance, resources, patient behavior, and time constraints are some of the challenges that can arise when implementing standard precautions. The main objective of this meta-analysis was to show the pooled prevalence of safe standard precaution practices among healthcare workers in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted for this study. We systematically searched observational study articles from PubMed Central and Google Scholar. We included articles published any year and involving healthcare workers. We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). The random effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence. The meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias (funnel plot, and Egger's tests) were conducted. A total of 46 articles were included in this study. The pooled prevalence of standard precautions practices among healthcare workers in LMICs was 53%, with a 95% CI of (47, 59). These studies had a total sample size of 14061 with a minimum sample size of 17 and a maximum sample size of 2086. The majority of the studies (82.6%) were conducted in hospitals only (all kinds), and the remaining 17.4% were conducted in all health facilities, including hospitals. The pooled prevalence of standard precautions practices among healthcare workers in LMICs was suboptimal. The findings of this study can have substantial implication for healthcare practice and policy making by providing robust evidence with synthesized and pooled evidence from multiple studies. Registered on PROSPERO with record ID: CRD42023395129, on the 9th Feb. 2023.

Insights into Standard Precaution Knowledge and Adherence among Healthcare Workers: Evidence from Tertiary Care Hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of being exposed to blood-borne infections when performing clinical activities, hence conventional measures must be followed. The study conducted in Peshawar was motivated by the inadequate adherence to standards in Pakistan. Objective: To evaluate tertiary care hospitals' healthcare workers' (HCWs) awareness of and adherence to standard precautions. Methods: Over the course of six months, 421 HCWs employed in a variety of public and commercial tertiary healthcare settings in Peshawar, Pakistan, participated in cross-sectional research. Convenient sampling was employed in the selection of participants. Three portions of a standardized questionnaire addressing adherence, knowledge, and demographics were administered. For data analysis SPSS version 27® was used, evaluating adherence and knowledge using scoring methods. Results: The majority of participants (78.1%) were new in their areas, and 68.2% had completed standard precautions training. Although the majority of healthcare workers (HCWs) showed high understanding (67.46%), there were still significant gaps in their knowledge, especially when it came to false beliefs about HIV and Hepatitis patient care. However, there was excellent adherence, particularly for trash disposal (73.6%) and hand hygiene (91.4%). When it came to knowledge and adherence, doctors outperformed lab technicians and nurses. Conclusions: Despite knowledge limitations, healthcare workers (HCWs) in Peshawar displayed outstanding adherence to basic procedures, going beyond theoretical comprehension. This underscores the importance of practical implementation in healthcare settings.

RETRACTION: Safety climate, quality of care, adherence to and compliance with standard precautions among nurses: Structural equation modeling.

RETRACTION: Safety climate, quality of care, adherence to and compliance with standard precautions among nurses: Structural equation modeling.

Ancient DNA and paleoproteomic analysis on Roman Imperial-era individuals from Histria, Romania

Ancient biomolecules have become an increasingly important part of archaeological investigations interested in understanding population movements and health. Despite their ability to elucidate historically-attested contexts of human mobility and interaction between different cultural groups, biomolecular techniques are still underutilized in certain historical and archaeological contexts. One such context is the Roman Imperial limes, or border zone, along the lower reaches of the Danube, which saw more than five hundred years of migration, conflict, and accommodation among a wide range of populations, from Mediterranean settlers to steppe pastoralists. In this region, more than a century of archaeological investigation has unearthed the remains of tens of thousands of Roman-era individuals. However, only a limited number of contexts have undergone biomolecular analyses. While these deceased humans may offer an untapped reservoir of biomolecular information, many were collected during a period when the standard precautions and protocols for ancient biomolecular research were not yet established. Because contamination is a major barrier for successfully recovering ancient DNA and proteins, conducting a pilot study to assess bimolecular preservation of a small representative dataset of human remains before embarking on a more extensive research program may prevent unnecessary sampling. This study applies ancient DNA and paleoproteomic techniques to human remains from a Roman-period cemetery at Histria, a site located just south of the Danube at the edge of the Roman province of Moesia Inferior. The individuals from whom we sampled dentin and dental calculus were excavated between the 1940s and 1980s and were housed at the Francisc J. Rainer Institute since. Our results suggest that both microbial and human ancient DNA is preserved in the dental calculus and dentin samples. We also successfully recovered sex-specific amelogenin peptides in tooth enamel from three individuals, including a juvenile. In conclusion, our results are encouraging, signifying the feasibility of future aDNA and paleoproteomic research for this skeletal collection. Our analyses also showcase how sex estimation with genomic and proteomic methods may contradict traditional osteological approaches. These findings not only offer deeper insights into the lives of these individuals but also show promise for the investigation of broader anthropological questions, such as the impact of Roman annexation in this region.

Barriers to adherence to standard precautions among community health workers: a scoping review

Barriers to adherence to standard precautions among community health workers: a scoping review

Educational needs of community visiting nurses for infection prevention and control: Application of the Borich needs assessment and the Locus for Focus models.

This study aimed to assess the educational needs and analyze the priorities of infection prevention and control (IPC) for community-visiting nurses. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. This study was conducted with 144 visiting nurses working in public health centers and long-term care facilities in South Korea. A total of 23 questions in five subcategories were used to measure the current knowledge and perceived importance of IPC in community-visiting nursing. Data were collected from June 23 to October 30, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed paired t-test, the Borich needs assessment, and the Locus for Focus models. Top-priority content was defined as content belonging to two models, the first 10 contents of Borich needs assessment and the contents located in the Quadrant I of the Locus for Focus models. "Reporting in case of infection-related accidents," "Mandatory vaccination for visiting nurses," "Standard precaution," "Airborne precaution," "Contact precautions," "Respiratory infection control," and "Post-visit management." This study suggests that it is necessary to provide visiting nurses with more opportunities for IPC education and to develop standardized IPC programs that consider educational priorities.

Challenges of Compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Standard Procedures among Healthcare Workers: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: This hospital-based cross-sectional study aimed to assess the compliance of 251 healthcare workers (HCWs) with Infective Prevention and Control (IPC) standard procedures. The study addresses the critical issue of IPC compliance among HCWs, as it plays a pivotal role in reducing the risk of infectious disease transmission within healthcare settings. Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at St. Francis Referral Hospital, involving 251 healthcare workers from different departments including Internal medicine, Surgery, and Emergency. The Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) tool developed by WHO was used. Descriptive and regression analysis was done. A P-value of less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: Overall average compliance with IPCSPs was 54% whereby only 24.7% (62/251) of healthcare workers had a good compliance. The majority of HCWs (85.3%) reported highest compliance on proper disposal of used sharp items into sharp boxes and low compliance rate (11.6%) was on the disposal of the sharp box, sharp box is only disposed when it is full. Statistically significant were found between IPCSPs and number of years of working experience, level of education, profession, IPC training and IPC meeting attendance. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study has shed light on the critical challenges faced by healthcare workers in complying with IPCSPs. Findings revealed a concerning compliance with IPCSPs which is below the WHO standard and national level standard as well. We therefore recommend enhancement of IPC training program, IPC awareness campaign, and more implementational research for IPCSPs compliance.

Effectiveness and Safety of Measures to Prevent Infections and Other Complications Associated With Peripheral Intravenous Catheters: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) contribute substantially to the global burden of infections. This systematic review assessed 24 infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions to prevent PIVC-associated infections and other complications. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, WHO Global Index Medicus, CINAHL, and reference lists for controlled studies from 1 January 1980-16 March 2023. We dually selected studies, assessed risk of bias, extracted data, and rated the certainty of evidence (COE). For outcomes with 3 or more trials, we conducted Bayesian random-effects meta-analyses. 105 studies met our prespecified eligibility criteria, addressing 16 of the 24 research questions; no studies were identified for 8 research questions. Based on findings of low to high COE, wearing gloves reduced the risk of overall adverse events related to insertion compared with no gloves (1 non-randomized controlled trial [non-RCT]; adjusted risk ratio [RR], .52; 95% CI, .33-.85), and catheter removal based on defined schedules potentially resulted in a lower phlebitis/thrombophlebitis incidence (10 RCTs; RR, 0.74, 95% credible interval, .49-1.01) compared with clinically indicated removal in adults. In neonates, chlorhexidine reduced the phlebitis score compared with non-chlorhexidine-containing disinfection (1 RCT; 0.14 vs 0.68; P = .003). No statistically significant differences were found for other measures. Despite their frequent use and concern about PIVC-associated complications, this review underscores the urgent need for more high-quality studies on effective IPC methods regarding safe PIVC management. In the absence of valid evidence, adherence to standard precaution measures and documentation remain the most important principles to curb PIVC complications. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/exdb4).

Awareness of standard precautions, circumstances of occurrence and management of occupational exposures to body fluids among healthcare workers in a regional level referral hospital (Bertoua, Cameroon)

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCW) are exposed to infectious agents within biological materials including blood, tissues, other body fluids and on medical supplies, contaminated surfaces within the care delivery environment. Trends in occupational injuries are influenced by the level of awareness and observance of standard precautions (SP) among HCWs. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness of SP, exposure to body fluids, reporting pattern and management among HCWs in a Referral Hospital.MethodsThe present hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out from 1st November 2020 to 31st May 2021. The exhaustive sampling method was used and a total of 120 consenting HCWs were invited to participate. A self-administered questionnaire addressed questions related to knowledge, experience, circumstances of exposure, reporting, management of occupational exposure to body fluids, hepatitis B vaccination status. Data were analyzed using R Statistic version 4.3.1. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsOut of the 120 participating HCWs, 104 (86.7%) reported at least one accidental exposure to body fluids over the last year. Men (aOR = 4.19; p = 0.277) and HCWs aged 35 and over (aOR = 4.11; p = 0.114) were more at risk for AEB even though the difference was not statistically significant. Nurses/midwives (aOR = 65.9; p-value = 0.0005) and cleaners (aOR = 14.7; p-value = 0.0438) faced the highest risk of exposure. Lack of knowledge (79%) and patient agitation (49%) were the most reported reasons for exposure. Half of the participants (53%) reported that they used a personal protective equipment during care. Face mask (59.2%) and gowns (30.8%) were the most commonly used PPE. Most HCWs (62%) did not report AEB. Half of the affected HCWs (50.8%) received a course of post-exposure antiretroviral therapy. Few HCWs (4.2%) were fully immunized against Hepatitis B.ConclusionsMost HCWs reported an accidental exposure to body fluids over the last year. Midwives and nurses were disproportionally affected socio-professional groups. Two-thirds of the AEB were undeclared. Only half of the participants reported using PPE systematically. Hepatitis B vaccination coverage was low. There is need to strengthen the observance of standard precautions, including preventive vaccination and the systematic reporting and management of AEB.

Accidental Exposure to Body Fluids Among Healthcare Workers in a Referral Hospital in the Security-Challenged Region of South West Cameroon

Introduction: Accidental exposure to body fluids (AEBs) increases the risk of blood-borne infections among susceptible healthcare workers (HCWs). While 90% of the AEB reported occur in developed nations, they bear 90% of the burden of healthcare associated infections, sub-Saharan Africa. Social insecurity may contribute further to the vulnerability of HCWs. Our study sought to prevalence, reporting and management of AEBs among HCWs in the South-West Cameroon Region of Cameroon, that experiences security challenges since the year 2016. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2023 to April 2023, at the Buea Regional Hospital. Following informed consent, a 28-items questionnaire was administered to HCW. Data was entered and analyzed using R Statistics version 4.3.1. Results: Out of the 230 HCWs that were approached, 200 responded for a participation rate of 85%. The prevalence of AEB was high (93%). Exposures occurred while administering injections (37%), during blood sample collection (16%), delivery (11%), surgery (10.2%) and washing. The main risk factors for AEB included female gender (aOR=2.86) and in working the medical (aOR=5.95), pediatrics (aOR=10.5), obstetrical (aOR=22.6), and dental (aOR=26.3) units. Despite their high prevalence, only 46.8% of AEBs were reported. Post-exposure management was carried out for 67.2% of the reported cases. Most HCWs were unaware of the existence of an Infection Control Committee within the study setting, corroborating gaps in the observance of Standard Precautions. Conclusions: Most HCWs experienced AEBs over the last year. The study underscores a critical gaps in awareness and adherence to standard precautions. There is a need to sensitize and enforce the observance of Standard precautions for infection and control among HCWs of the Buea Regional Hospital. Such measures should be extended to other satellite health facilities.

Knowledge and Confidence Level among Emergency Healthcare Workers in Airway Management and Resuscitation of Suspected Covid-19 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Penang and Kelantan

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 cases in Malaysia have followed a never-ending course of spike and fall since it was first detected. Though the prominent role of infection control standard precautions were strictly applied, cases among emergency healthcare workers (EHCW) contracting the disease continue to rise. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge and confidence level and the factors that may influence the knowledge and confidence level among EHCW in airway management and resuscitation of suspected COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in tertiary hospitals in Penang and Kelantan using a validated questionnaire. The territories evaluated include the possible method of transmission, proper steps during resuscitation, airway management and intubation, intensive care management, and etiquette of personal protective equipment. RESULTS: Out of 543 EHCW eligible for the study, only 300 participants responded to the questionnaire. Our study showed only 15.3% of respondents had good knowledge and 62.3% had high confidence in airway management and resuscitation of suspected COVID-19 patients. Significant associations were seen in knowledge and confidence level among respondents with previous experience attending continuing medical education (F=7.041, P=0.008 and F=19.398, P&lt;0.001 respectively). Significant associations were also demonstrated in confidence level among respondents with previous simulation training experience (F=13.905, P&lt;0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that most EHCW had poor knowledge and moderately adequate confidence in the airway management and resuscitation of suspected COVID-19 patients. A more comprehensive and strategized training program needs to be conducted to help in improvement of the knowledge and confidence level among EHCW.

Health Workers Perception on Precautionary Knowledge and Practices in Secondary Hospitals and Isolation Centres for COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Lagos State, Nigeria

This paper assesses Health Workers' perception of precautionary measures, knowledge and practices in selected Secondary hospitals and Isolation centres for COVID-19 preventive measures in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-method research design. A sample of 302 respondents was obtained from Isolation Centres and Selected Secondary Health Facilities in Lagos State. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling techniques to obtain data from the health workers. Through the administration of questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews, data for the study was obtained. The study found that about 201 (69.4%) of 290 respondents agreed that the information provided by the National Centre for Disease Control was adequate for the prevention of the COVID-19 Virus. guidelines: also revealed that all the Isolation centres studied had well-trained medical personnel and IPC guidelines on standard precautions, hand hygiene, and waste management guidelines; similarly, all facilities studied had guidelines for transmission–based precautions contained therein. The study therefore recommended amongst others that There should be adequate and efficient collaborations among all stakeholders in the fight against COVID-19 disease.

Trauma-Informed Care in Pediatric Physical Therapy as a Standard Precaution: The Time Is Here.

In this special communication, an overview of the research on trauma, resilience, and action items for the pediatric physical therapist (PT) is addressed. The experiences of early childhood, positive and negative, impact overall development and well-being throughout the lifespan. Childhood trauma can include exposure to abuse, neglect, violence, racism, or medical procedures. These adverse childhood experiences are associated with poor physical and mental health outcomes that can extend into adulthood and can appear in the pediatric rehabilitative realm as caregivers who become labeled noncompliant. Trauma is common and impacts all children; however, some populations, such as children with disabilities, have greater risk for experiencing adversity. An individual's trauma history is not always visible, necessitating a standard approach. Pediatric PTs must take an intentional approach to address the detrimental effects of trauma on those we serve. Many organizations recommend adopting trauma-informed care as the standard of care for all populations.

HIV knowledge and preventive Standards Precautions Among Healthcare Workers in Blood Transfusion Centers

The number of instances of HIV has climbed considerably in the previous ten years, which is cause for alarm. Because healthcare workers are future healthcare professionals, they must have proper knowledge and preventive standards and precautions about HIV because they will play a vital role in the prevention of HIV transmission and treatment of HIV patients. The article aims to identify HIV knowledge and preventive standard precautions among healthcare workers in blood transfusion Centers. Cross-sectional descriptive research to characterize and provide information about the knowledge and preventive standards precautions among healthcare workers in blood transfusion Centers from March 25 to April 15, 2022. Participants from the described Studies (N = 34) provided data for these analyses. This result revealed that the participants' knowledge ranged between acceptable and good (47.05 and 52.95). Also, participants' knowledge of prevention strategies was similar, but the hand hygiene strategy was the most valuable (M: 3.62 and SD: 0.45). The instrument consists of 3 parts: part 1: demographical variables. Part two: healthcare workers' knowledge of HIV, Part 3: preventive standards precautions among healthcare workers. The current study of healthcare personnel shows that they have a decent understanding of HIV based on the precise results and adhere to the preventive measures during the blood transfusion. Keywords: HIV, knowledge, preventive Standards precautions, Healthcare Workers, Blood Transfusion Centers

Compliance with infection prevention and control standard precautions and factors associated with noncompliance among healthcare workers working in public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundStandard Precautions (SPs) are the minimal infection prevention and control (IPC) measures that apply to all patient care activities at all times, regardless of whether the patient has a suspected or proven disease, in any place where healthcare service is provided. These evidence-based practices protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from infection while preventing the spread of infectious agents among patients, visitors, and the environment.ObjectivesAssessed compliance of HCWs working in public hospitals in Addis Ababa to infection prevention and control SPs, and factors associated with noncompliance.MethodsIn a hospital-based cross-sectional study, 422 HCWs were recruited from nine public hospitals in Addis Ababa using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, entered into a computer using Epi data, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The association between the independent and the outcome variables was investigated using logistic regression. Odd ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as measures of the strength of the association between the outcome and the explanatory variables. A p-value below 5% was considered an indicator of statistical significance.ResultsThe level of knowledge of HCWs about IPC and SPs was 51.9% and 36.49% of the respondents were compliant with SPs. Receiving IPC Training [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.81, 95% CI 1.06, 3.09], knowing SPs [AOR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.83, 6.54], presence of a mechanism in the hospital to enforce the IPC practices [AOR = 1.71 95% CI = 1.01, 2.89], and availability of cleaning and disinfection chemicals in the hospital [AOR = 2.18, 95%CI = 1.15, 4.13] were significantly associated with the HCWs’ compliance with SPs.ConclusionCompliance with IPC standard precautions of HCWs in public hospitals of Addis Ababa is suboptimal. Working in medical units, less work experience, lack of training, poor knowledge, absence of a mechanism to enforce adherence, and inadequate resources are independent predictors for non-compliance of the HCWs.

RETRACTED: Safety climate, quality of care, adherence to and compliance with standard precautions among nurses: Structural equation modeling.

The aim was to investigate the interrelationships of nurses' safety climate, quality of care, and adherence to and compliance with standard precautions (SPs). Investigations about nurses' safety climate and quality care and their association with adherence to and compliance with SPs remain remarkably scant across literature, specifically among developing countries like the Philippines. Cross-sectional design and structural equation modeling (SEM) approach while complying with STROBE guidelines. Participant nurses were recruited using convenience sampling (n=870). Four validated self-report instruments were used to collect data from February to August 2022. Spearman rho, SEM, mediation, and path analyses were employed for data analysis. The emerging model showed acceptable model fit parameters. The safety climate positively influenced the quality of care and adherence to and compliance with SPs. Quality of care directly affected adherence to SPs, while adherence to SPs directly affected compliance with SPs. The quality of care mediated the relationship between safety climate and adherence to SPs. Whereas adherence to SPs mediated the relationships between safety climate and compliance with SPs and the quality of care and compliance with SPs. Nurses' safety climate directly affected the quality of care and SPs adherence and compliance. The quality of care mediated the impact of safety climate on SPs adherence. Finally, SPs adherence demonstrated a mediating effect among quality of care, safety climate, and SPs compliance. Nursing policymakers and administrators can use the findings to design strategic policies and sustainable in-service educational courses fostering and maintaining nurses' safety climate, quality of care, and SPs adherence and compliance.

Standard precautions compliance and its associated factors among nurses in Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional study

During the COVID-19 pandemic, with many nurses being infected, understanding compliance with standard precautions (SP) among nurses in Kazakhstan is crucial for improving infection prevention and control and preparedness for future emergencies. The study aimed to assess Kazakh nurses' SP compliance amid the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the factors associated with their compliance. Quantitative, cross-sectional design. This research surveyed 241 clinical nurses in Astana, Kazakhstan using a standardized tool from December 2021 to April 2022. This study found 76.0% SP compliance among the nurses. The highest compliance was observed in the dimension "Decontamination of spills and used articles" (86.0% compliance rate), followed by "Use of protective devices" (83.5% compliance rate), "Prevention of cross-infection from person to person" (72.7% compliance rate), "Disposal of sharps" (65.4% compliance rate), and "Disposal of waste" (56.0% compliance rate). Nurses' age and educational qualification influences the nurses' SP compliance. While the nurses' compliance rate in this study was moderate, specific areas warrant more attention, such as their compliance with proper waste and sharps disposal. This study highlighted the experiences of nurses in Kazakhstan on their compliance with SP during the pandemic.

The factors influencing patient safety management as perceived by emergency department nurses: A qualitative study.

One of the most important, unpredictable and stressful areas in hospitals is the emergency department (ED) where seconds are crucial for providing immediate care and saving the patients' lives. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the factors which impact the patient safety management as perceived by the ED nurses in Southern Iran. This is a qualitative, descriptive study. The participants were 23 ED nurses selected via purposeful sampling who were asked to take part in an interview. Data were collected using semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews and analysed via content analysis. Analysis of the qualitative data yielded 4 themes and 12 subthemes. The four main themes were: negligence of safety standards and standard precautions, disregard of ethical principles, professional challenges and inefficient organizational management.

Availability of basic infection control items and personal protection equipment in 7948 health facilities in eight low- and middle-income countries: Evidence from national health system surveys.

Hundreds of millions of people become infected globally every year while seeking care in health facilities that lack basic needs like infection control measures and personal protective equipment (PPE). We aimed to evaluate the availability of infection control items and PPE in eight low- and middle-income countries and identify disparities in the availability of those items. In this study, we combined publicly available nationally representative cross-sectional health system surveys (Service Provision Assessments by the Demographic and Health Survey Programme) conducted in eight countries between 2013 and 2018: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal, and Tanzania. The availability of infection control items was evaluated using a list of six items (a waste receptacle, a sharps container, disinfectant, single-use disposable or auto-disposable syringes, soap and running water, or an alcohol-based hand rub, and guidelines for standard precautions). PPE includes four items: gloves, medical masks, gowns, and eye protection. We considered these items available in a facility if they were observed in general outpatient areas or any service-specific area (i.e. delivery room). We analysed data from 7948 health facilities (694 hospitals and 7254 health centres/clinics). Overall, among the infection control items and PPE, most surveyed facilities had high availability of single-use disposable or auto-disposable syringes (91.40%) and latex gloves (92.56%). Of infection control measures, guidelines for infection control were the least available during the survey, with the lowest (6.15%) in Nepal and the highest (68.18%) in Malawi. Of the PPE items, eye protection was the least available during the survey, with the lowest (5.4% in Senegal) and the highest (28.17%) in Haiti. Only 1567 (19.71%) facilities looked to have all the basic infection control materials, and 1023 (12.87%) of the analysed facilities possessed all of the PPE. Within the same country, the availability of items varied more between hospitals and health centres/clinics than between them. All eight of our study countries experience shortages of the most fundamental standard precaution items to avert infection. Steps must be taken in each of these countries to reduce inadequacies and disparities and enhance efficiency in the conversion of health-system inputs into the facility's availability of standard precaution items for infection control - to curb the risk of infectious disease transmission.