A Data Descriptor on the Impact of Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Campaigns on Nosocomial Infection Rates in Tertiary Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, 2002

Nosocomial infections present a substantial burden on healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to increased patient morbidity, mortality, and costs. Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection prevention measure, but adherence remains problematic in resource-limited settings. The implementation of campaigns promoting alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) was a key strategy to address this challenge in hospital environments. This data descriptor documents a curated dataset designed to quantify the effect of structured ABHR hand hygiene campaigns on nosocomial infection rates within tertiary hospitals in a major urban African setting. Its objective is to provide a reusable resource for analysing the relationship between campaign rollout and trends in healthcare-associated infections. The dataset was compiled from retrospective, anonymised administrative records from several tertiary care hospitals. It comprises monthly aggregated figures for key nosocomial infection indicators, including surgical site and bloodstream infections, for periods before and after the initiation of comprehensive ABHR campaigns. Data on ABHR procurement and distribution were integrated and correlated with infection metrics. Analysis of the dataset shows a marked reduction in overall nosocomial infection rates following the sustained implementation of ABHR campaigns. A specific finding is an observed decrease in the incidence density of major infection categories, with one principal category showing a reduction of approximately 22% in the post-campaign period compared to the baseline. This dataset provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of ABHR-focused hand hygiene campaigns in lowering healthcare-associated infection rates within tertiary hospitals in this context. It highlights the potential utility of such interventions in comparable resource-constrained environments. The dataset is suited for further epidemiological modelling, cost-effectiveness analyses, and for informing the expansion of hand hygiene programmes. Ongoing, standardised surveillance is recommended to monitor long-term trends and the sustainability of infection reduction. Hand hygiene, nosocomial infections, alcohol-based hand rub, infection prevention, healthcare-associated infections, sub-Saharan Africa This data descriptor contributes a structured, analysable dataset that captures the impact of a specific infection prevention intervention in a resource-limited tertiary care setting. It facilitates secondary research into the relationship between hand hygiene promotion and infection outcomes.