NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN INDIA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, RISK FACTORS, AND PHARMACEUTICAL CONTROL
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Keywords
Nosocomial infections, hospital-acquired infections, India, epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, infection control, pharmaceutical interventions, healthcare-associated infections
Abstract
Nosocomial infections, or hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), pose a significant public health challenge, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. This review summarizes the medical, epidemiological, and pharmaceutical literature to highlight the prevalence, clinical patterns, risk factors, prevention challenges, and pharmaceutical strategies relevant to India. The prevalence of nosocomial infections in Indian healthcare facilities is alarming, ranging from 10% to 25%, which is notably higher than the 5%–10% seen in developed countries. Contributing factors include patient overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, insufficient sterilization protocols, and limited resources for infection control. The main clinical manifestations of HAIs include device-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs), surgical site infections (SSIs), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and bloodstream infections (BSIs), predominantly caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.
This review underscores the vital role of pharmaceutical sciences in managing these infections. Enhanced antimicrobial stewardship, targeted vaccine development, and innovative drug delivery technologies, such as antiseptic-coated medical devices, can be implemented to reduce pathogen transmission. Containing nosocomial infections in India requires a coordinated strategy that bridges policy formulation with clinical practice.
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