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International Journal for Quality in Health Care 16:303-308 (2004)
International Journal for Quality in Health Care vol. 16 no. 4 © International Society for Quality in Health Care and Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved

Injection practices in Burkina Faso in 2000

J. Fitzner1,2, J.-F. Aguilera3, A. Yameogo4, P. Duclos1 and Y. J. F. Hutin1

1 World Health Organization Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, 2 Robert-Koch Institut, Berlin, Germany, 3 Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Public Health Laboratory Service, London, UK, 4 Vaccine Prevention, Directorate of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background. Unsafe delivery and overuse of injections can result in the spread of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and HIV. The aim of the present survey was to estimate the frequency of safe injection practices in Burkina Faso.

Method. Using the new standardized World Health Organization tool to assess injection practices, we selected 80 primary health facilities with a two-stage cluster sampling method, collected information using structured observations and provider interviews, and analyzed the data using Epi-Info software.

Results. We observed 116 injections in 52 facilities. In 50 facilities [96%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 85–99%] injections were given with a new, single-use syringe and needle. In 29 facilities (56%; 95% CI 36–74%), staff recapped needles using two hands. All 80 facilities visited had a stock in the community to provide new, single-use syringes and needles. In 61% (95% CI 54–79%) of facilities, staff reported needlestick injuries in the last 12 months. Used needles were discarded in open containers in 66 facilities (83%; 95% CI 55–96%) and observed in the surroundings of 46 facilities (57%; 95% CI 32–80%).

Conclusions. In 2000, most of the health facilities in Burkina Faso were using sterile injection equipment. However, practices were still observed that could expose patients, health care workers, and communities to risks, and that required specific interventions.

Keywords: Burkina Faso, cross infection, health survey, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, immunization, injection safety

Address reprint requests to Julia Fitzner, World Health Organization, 58 Avenue Debourg, 69007 Lyon, France. E-mail: fitznerj{at}lyon.who.int

Accepted for publication March 25, 2004.


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