Surgical site infections in sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies. [Review]

Nakhleh, H.; Samuel Fatokun, B.; Nakyanzi, H.; Mshaymesh, S.; Wellington, J.; Uwishema, O.

Surgical site infections in sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies. [Review]

All Authors

Nakhleh, H.

Samuel Fatokun, B.

Nakyanzi, H.

Mshaymesh, S.

Wellington, J.

Uwishema, O.

LTHT Author

Wellington, Jack

LTHT Department

Neurosciences
Neurosurgery

Publication Date

2025

Item Type

Journal Article
Review

Abstract

Introduction: The healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face many challenges, with surgical site infection (SSI) considered a major health issue concerning its communities. The higher incidence of SSI in comparison to international standards highlights the issue further and advances efforts to develop all-encompassing remedies. With a frequency of up to 41.9% in Tanzania compared to 2.5% in Europe, prompt solutions are warranted. This issue has developed as a result of a dearth of resources, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, inconsistent application of the recommendations, and ineffective data gathering methodologies. Approach: A comprehensive search of the literature pertaining to the epidemiology, associated risk factors, and challenges attributed to the control of SSIs in SSA was performed employing electronic databases like that of PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar. Published articles discussing these topics were reviewed and evaluated for their contribution to the topic of SSI in SSA then the relevant data were referenced. Conclusion: There is a significant disparity between SSA and the industrialized world in terms of the occurrence of SSIs. The lack of resources, comprising insufficient clinical infrastructure and financial constraints, is a barrier to the implementation of SSI prevention strategies. Furthermore, it was observed that a large proportion of the medical workforce in nations belonging to SSA disregarded sterilization protocols. In addition, inadequate data collation causes the field to provide inadequate feedback, which raises the risk of SSIs. However, there are approaches that are thought to successfully lower the risk of SSIs. It is essential to utilize gold standard sterilizing procedures. These include pressurized wound irrigation, antimicrobial-coated sutures, perioperative blood glucose regulation, and the administration of chlorhexidine gluconate combined with alcohol-based skin preparation. Further, obtaining external means of funding from global organizations may be considered as a solution to issues regarding resource deprivation.