Healthcare-associated infection rates in Türkiye (2014-2023): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are among the most significant challenges in healthcare settings, ranking as one of the three most common hospital complications. Effective prevention and surveillance strategies are critical to reducing the incidence of HAIs. This study aimed to describe the rates of HAIs in hospitals across Türkiye over the last decade (2014-2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) statements. Keywords included “Türkiye”, “healthcare-associated infections”, “surgical site infections”, “catheter-associated bloodstream infections”, “catheter-associated urinary infections” and “ventilator-associated pneumonia”. We included original articles reporting HAI rates among adult patients in Turkish hospitals over at least one year between 01 January 2014 and 31 December 2023. Of 1171 identified reports, eight original articles met the inclusion criteria after screening titles and abstracts and removing duplicates. Four articles were rated as high quality and four as moderate quality. The pooled rate of catheter-related HAIs in intensive care units was 4.19 (central line-assocCLABSI:1.97, CAUTI:1.94, VAP:6.49), compared to 1.88 in inpatient wards. No article was published that reflected the overall surgical site infection rate of a hospital. This review highlights a need for systematic surveillance and reporting of HAIs in Türkiye, particularly regarding surgical site infections, bacterial isolates, and resistance patterns. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive monitoring systems to inform infection prevention strategies.