Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a globally relevant aspect of all health systems impacting the health and safety of both patients and healthcare workers. However, best practices remain a challenge in healthcare delivery especially in resource limited situations. The primary objective of this study was to assess the infection prevention and control (IPC) preparedness levels of acute healthcare facilities in Ghana and to determine the factors associated with the overall IPC preparedness levels in acute healthcare facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional study adapting the IPC assessment framework (IPCAF) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) was conducted. Five of the core components of the WHO IPCAF were used to assess the IPC level of 56 acute healthcare facilities in Ghana. Results: Of the 56 facilities surveyed, only 19 had an IPC program with clearly defined objectives. Overall, 8 (14.3%) facilities scored an IPC preparedness level of "Advance", 18 (32.1%) facilities received an "Intermediate" IPC preparedness score, 23 (41.1%) facilities received an IPC preparedness level of "basic" and 7 (12.5%) facilities scored an IPC preparedness level of "inadequate". IPC materials like detergents, running water and PPEs were not significantly supplied. Government owned facilities performed better in terms of IPC preparedness as compared to privately owned facilities. A PLUM-ordinal regression analysis revealed that an IPC program with clearly defined objectives (OR= 76; 95% CI; 7.23, 808.19), dedicated IPC budget (OR= 13; 95% CI; 3.8-44.3) and regular mandatory training (OR= 50.9; 95% CI; 6.1-425) were associated with increased IPC preparedness. Conclusion: Generally, the IPC preparedness levels in a majority of the facilities were low and required significant improvements in several areas. Facilities must make periodic reviews and adjust their objectives based on facility priorities.

Background: Medicinal plants have been used for many different purposes in the past. These plants may produce antimicrobial metabolites that affect the natural growth of microorganisms. The aim of this research was to study the antibacterial properties of rhubarb, cinnamon and pennyroyal on Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: In this study, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of pennyroyal, cinnamon and rhubarb on Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae was investigated after their collection and extraction process. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of this extract on bacteria were also measured. Results: The MIC of hydro alcoholic extract of pennyroyal was above 400 mg/ml for both Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Also the MBC has been reported 400 and 500 mg/dL, respectively. The MIC of cinnamon extract for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus were reported 250 and higher and 500 and higher, respectively. Also, the MBC was reported 500 and 600 mg/ml, respectively. Klebsiella pneumoniae was resistant to rhubarb plant extract, and the MIC and the MBC for Staphylococcus aureus were reported 200 mg/ml and higher and 400 mg/ml and higher, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the hydro alcoholic extract of cinnamon, pennyroyal and rhubarb has anti bacterial effect against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus.