Healthcare-associated infection in Shiraz, Iran 2004-2005

Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. About 10% of hospitalised patients develop an HCAI. We present first point prevalence study of HCAI in Iran, examining three common HCAIs: urinary tract infection (UTI), surgical site infection (SSI) and bloodstream infection (BSI). On one day in each of the following months, May 2004, September 2004, November 2004 and March 2005, all patients hospitalised in eight participating hospitals were studied. Data collected included age, sex, ward, clinical characteristics and laboratory results using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) system criteria. A total of 2667 patients was investigated. The prevalence rate of HCAI varied significantly between clinical units, ranging from 3.9% to 34.0%. The lowest rates were observed in obstetrics and gynaecology wards and the highest rates in burns wards and intensive care units. The HCAI prevalence rates found in the hospitals in Shiraz were higher than HCAI rates reported in studies from Latvia, Slovenia, France and Italy, but lower than those reported from Greece, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and other developing countries. Our findings highlight that HCAIs are of concern in Iran and that further study is needed to identify risk factors and preventive interventions.