Availability and Functionality of Infection Prevention and Control Systems in Health Facilities Providing TB and COVID-19 Services in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria continues to face the challenge of emerging and resurgence infectious diseases, including tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Healthcare facilities can inadvertently facilitate transmission of these pathogens due to frequent interactions among patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. Strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC) systems is therefore essential to improve health system resilience and advance progress toward universal health coverage. This cross-sectional facility-based study assessed the status of IPC programmes using the World Health Organization Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF). Trained field staff administered the IPCAF tool across selected health facilities to evaluate performance across the core components of IPC programmes. Data collected from each facility were compiled in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. We assessed a total of thirty health facilities. Overall IPC performance was predominantly at the basic level, with an average score of 41.5%. Some facilities demonstrated intermediate capacity in specific areas such as staffing and infrastructure; however, none achieved an advanced level of IPC performance. These findings highlight significant gaps in IPC implementation across the assessed facilities. Strengthening IPC policies, systems, and institutional capacity is therefore critical. National disease control programmes should prioritize targeted interventions to improve and sustain IPC practices across healthcare facilities in order to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated transmission of infectious diseases.