Prevention and Control of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in the Peripheral Care Units of the Golfe Health District in Lomé, Togo

Introduction: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a high-risk situation for healthcare providers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection during the medical consultation. Methods: This was a one-week cross-sectional observational study of healthcare providers of the medical consultation services in the peripheral care units (PCU) of the Golfe health district of Lomé. Result: Twenty out of 31 (64.5%) peripheral care units and 70 out of 128 (54.7%) medical consultation service providers were surveyed. Providers were 48.6% medical assistants, 30% state nurses, 12.9% physicians, and 64.3% did not receive any in-service training in infection prevention and control (IPC). Compliance with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection prevention and control measures was quite satisfactory with a percentage level of targets achieved of 71%. The preventive measures in place were adequate in terms of resource allocation and physical location organization interventions (85%), but were inconclusive in terms of administrative and organizational measures (58%), as well as in terms of proper use of personal protective equipment (72%), but were complied with by 47% of the providers and 97% of the patients. Conclusion: Adherence to infection prevention and control measures in peripheral care units remains insufficient in relation to the acceptable threshold of performance set by the World Health Organization at 75%.