Evaluation of Infection Prevention and Control Compliance in Private Clinics and Hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State

Private healthcare facilities in Nigeria serve a substantial proportion of patients, yet infection prevention and control (IPC) compliance in this sector receives considerably less oversight than public institutions. This study evaluates IPC compliance in private clinics and hospitals in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Forty private facilities ranging from patent medicine stores to specialist private hospitals were assessed using an adapted WHO IPC assessment framework covering hand hygiene infrastructure, sterilisation and disinfection practices, waste management, and respiratory hygiene protocols. Clinical staff interviews and direct observation supplemented the facility assessments. Overall IPC compliance was rated inadequate in 62 percent of facilities. Hand hygiene infrastructure was absent or non-functional in 55 percent of assessed clinics. Autoclave availability was confirmed in only 40 percent, with cold sterilisation using glutaraldehyde widely used as an alternative. Medical waste segregation compliance was rated poor in 70 percent of facilities. MRSA was isolated from clinical specimens in three facilities during concurrent microbiological sampling, indicating active nosocomial transmission. The study advocates for mandatory IPC certification renewal as a condition of facility annual licensing, targeted IPC training for private practitioners, and regular inspection by the Oyo State Ministry of Health. Keywords: infection prevention, private hospital, IPC compliance, Ibadan, nosocomial infection