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Official Journal of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Success in the South Pacific: a case study of successful diffusion of an infection prevention and control program

Peta-Anne Zimmerman A E , Heather Yeatman B , Michael Jones C and Helen Murdoch D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gold Coast Campus, Griffith University, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

B Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.

C Faculty of Commerce, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.

D Ministry of Health, Republic of Kiribati.

E Corresponding author. Email: p.zimmerman@griffith.edu.au

Healthcare Infection 20(2) 54-61 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI14036
Submitted: 29 October 2014  Accepted: 7 January 2015   Published: 16 March 2015

Journal Compilation © Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control 2015

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the role of the Diffusion of Innovations framework in adopting an infection prevention and control program (IPCP) in a low and middle income (LMI) country, the Republic of Kiribati.

Methods: Case-study methodology was used to examine and contextualise the analysis of the Republic of Kiribati’s adoption of the IPCP from 2003 to 2010. Data were collected from multiple sources including semi-structured interviews, IPCP documentation, program evaluation and a healthcare worker survey. Data were subjected to thematic analysis and descriptive statistics where relevant to the study design.

Results: It was found that the self-initiated progression of activities and stimuli has resulted in the successful adoption of a comprehensive IPCP. The process followed the staged model of the classic Diffusion of Innovations process in organisations described by Everett Rogers.

Conclusion: This case study provides an illustration of how a comprehensive IPCP can be adopted in a LMI country setting with little involvement from external agencies. It identifies key stimuli, opportunities and activities which could be similarly adopted and implemented by other LMI countries.


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