Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) pose a constant threat not only to patients, their families and healthcare systems but also to society as a whole. Apart from contributing to increased mortality they add substantially to hospital costs. Very few studies estimate the excess cost of HCAI in developing countries with the majority of these studies found in Latin America. To date, there has been no costing of HCAIs in Ghana. The costing study which is part of larger HCAI study will be conducted in three phases with two stages of data collection within each phase.
Phase 1 will involve the costing of Surgical Site Infections (SSI) and interventions. Phase 2 will involve the costing of neonatal sepsis and interventions, while Phase 3 will involve the costing of puerperal sepsis and interventions. In each of these phases, two sets of data collection exercises will be undertaken; one at the baseline and then an endline survey after the intervention has taken place. The aim of this study is to measure the direct, indirect and opportunity costs associated with HCAIs and HCAI control interventions in Ghana. These infections include surgical site infections, neonatal and puerperal sepsis.
Expected Duration: 2016 – 2021
Project Status: Ongoing
Principal Investigator: Dr Ama Pokuaa Fenny