TITLE:
Usefulness of IPC ECHO Clinic in Tanzania—Experience from Its Evaluation in 10 Referral Hospitals
AUTHORS:
Ruth R. Ngowi, Stephano S. Simba, Joseph C. Hokororo, Doris Lutkam, Erick S. Kinyenje, Chrisogone J. German, Radenta P. Bahegwa, Yohanes S. Msigwa, Omary A. Nassoro, Laura E. Marandu, Mwajabu H. Machibya, Syabo M. Mwaisengela, Mbwana M. Degeh, Talhiya A. Yahya, Daud Peter, Jacob Lusekelo, Edgar Lusaya, Eliudi S. Eliakimu
KEYWORDS:
Infection Prevention and Control, Project ECHO, Evaluation, Tanzania, Quality Improvement Focal Person (QIFP), Infection Prevention and Control Focal Person (IPCFP)
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
27,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Tanzania adopted the Project ECHO platform in 2016 to build healthcare workers’ capacity in HIV rapid testing services. As of June 2025, 13 ECHO clinics are running, including a monthly Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) clinic launched in 2022. This study highlights the clinic’s usefulness and provides recommendations for future focus areas. Objective: To assess the usefulness of the IPC Project ECHO clinic to users in Tanzania, and to explore topics/areas that need to be included in the upcoming curriculum for the IPC ECHO Clinic. Methods: An explanatory study design using a qualitative method of data collection was used to collect data from all 10 facilities supported by the Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS). This study presents results on the objective of assessing the usefulness of the IPC Project ECHO clinic in Tanzania. Results: Analysis has shown that the IPC ECHO clinic was useful to healthcare workers in different areas such as how to conduct environmental surveillance, monitoring of surgical site infections (SSIs), integration of IPC and antimicrobial stewardship activities, and networking. Furthermore, healthcare workers suggested areas/topics that need to be included in the upcoming curriculum for the IPC ECHO Clinic. These areas include surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), antimicrobial resistance, decontamination, waste management, IPC data analysis and use, hand hygiene, logistics for IPC supplies and equipment, guidance on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at health facilities, prevention of HCAIs at dialysis units, patients with heart and cancer diseases, and how to monitor the quality of water. Conclusion: The IPC ECHO Clinic proved beneficial to healthcare workers by enhancing their knowledge and skills in key IPC areas. Participants also recommended expanding the curriculum to cover crucial topics such as HCAI surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, PPE use, and IPC in specialized care settings.