IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PRACTICES ON INFECTION CONTROL OUTCOMES IN SAUDI ARABIAN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of environmental cleaning and disinfection practices on infection control outcomes in Saudi Arabian healthcare settings. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases to identify relevant studies. After screening, a total of 50 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect estimate was calculated using the odds ratio (OR) as the effect measure, and a random-effects model was employed to account for heterogeneity among the studies. Results: The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between effective environmental cleaning and disinfection practices and a reduced risk of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) in Saudi Arabian healthcare settings. The calculated pooled odds ratio was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.68 to 0.82), indicating a 25% decrease in the incidence of HAIs following the implementation of evidence-based cleaning protocols. Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis provide strong evidence supporting the importance of robust environmental cleaning and disinfection practices in reducing HAIs in Saudi Arabian healthcare settings. These results have significant implications for infection control practices and highlight the need for continued research and targeted interventions to enhance patient safety and improve healthcare outcomes in the country. Healthcare facilities should prioritize evidence-based cleaning protocols to effectively control infections and protect their patient populations.