# Promoting infection prevention and control learning in Asian countries

> Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are infections which development is favoured by a hospital environment, such as one acquired by a patient during a hospital stay.

## The Challenge of HAIs in Asia
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most frequent adverse events in healthcare, leading to serious threats to patient safety and care efficiency. While HAIs are a global problem, the incidence is significantly higher in developing countries, including many Asian nations. This prevalence increases healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality.

Several factors contribute to this situation:
*   Inadequate awareness and knowledge among healthcare workers.
*   Lack of support resources, such as education and medical equipment.
*   Overload of patients, particularly in regions like Vietnam.
*   Insufficient know-how regarding antimicrobial resistance and the misuse of antibiotics.
*   Lack of sufficient documentation and prevalence statistics.

## The Role of Education and Innovation
Quality education is essential for developing the skills of healthcare workers. Integrating infection prevention and control (IPC) competency throughout undergraduate nursing programs is considered the most effective approach. By starting early, students are better prepared to provide safe care and are motivated to develop their skills throughout their careers.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for updated information on identifying, treating, and isolating infected individuals. Furthermore, the shift to distance learning in 2020 revealed that existing teaching materials and methods were often insufficient, necessitating more innovative learning approaches. Beyond disseminating information, there is a need to foster personal motivation and the ability to apply guidelines in practice.

## The PrevInf Project
The Erasmus+ project "Capacitating Asia’s Nursing Students on Innovative and Sustainable Prevention and Control of Healthcare-associated Infections" (PrevInf) aims to improve nursing students’ competency in HAI prevention and control. The project, which began in 2021, is led by the Nursing School of Coimbra (Portugal) and Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Finland).

### Project Objectives
The consortium works with four partner universities to strengthen nursing curricula:
*   **Vietnam:** Nam Dinh University of Nursing and Hai Duong Medical Technical University.
*   **Cambodia:** International University and Bolyno Institute.

The project focuses on evaluating and updating learning objectives, curriculum contents, and pedagogical methods, while innovating new teaching techniques tailored to local contexts.

## Developing the PrevInf Model
The project will produce a "PrevInf Model" for nursing education, containing organizational, educational, and professional elements. Key components include:
*   **E-books:** Didactically designed for online independent learning.
*   **Simulation Pedagogy:** Used to strengthen practical competence.

Savonia University of Applied Sciences is leading the guidance on eBook design and simulation pedagogy, leveraging its strategic expertise and experience in international simulation projects. By stimulating critical thinking and decision-making, the project aims to provide students with the necessary skills to plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care, ultimately improving the quality of nursing curricula globally.

## Authors
*   Marja Silén-Lipponen
*   Leena Koponen
*   Mikko Myllymäki
*   Ulla Korhonen