Healthcare-associated infections in children in Ukraine during 2009–2021

Abstract

Background. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) now include the development of infectious processes in various organ systems of patients and at hospitals of different work directions. It is believed that HCAIs are infections that first occur 48 hours or later after hospitalization or 30 days after receiving medical care. The aim of our research was a retrospective analysis of the incidence of HCAIs among children in Ukraine during 2009–2021. Materials and methods. Statistical analysis of the prevalence of registered cases of HCAIs in Ukraine for 2009–2021, according to the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Results. On average, 966 ± 489 cases of HCAIs were registered annually in Ukraine among children of various ages. According to the age distribution, the number of annual cases of HCAIs among newborns of up to 1 month of age averaged 65.8 %, for those aged 1 month to 1 year — 5.9 %, from 1 to 17 years — 28.3 %. According to the nosological structure of HCAIs, infections of certain conditions occurring in the perinatal period prevailed among children. On average, the number of such diseases for 2010–2021 was 49.5 ± 7.5 % (among children 0–17 years old) and 13.8 % of the total cases of HCAIs in Ukraine. Conclusions. In recent years, there has been an underestimation of HCAI cases in Ukraine among adult patients and children. Nevertheless, indicators provided by institutions of some regions (Odesa and Kyiv regions) make it possible, with a certain degree of probability, to get an idea of the structure of HCAI incidence in the country. According to the age structure, HCAIs in children (0–17 years) for 2009–2021 accounted for 22.06 % of the total number of HCAIs. Most cases during the specified period were recorded among newborns, 65.8 % of all children with HCAIs. Therefore, the primary efforts should be aimed at reducing HCAIs among newborns.