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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Control of nosocomial infections in an intensive care unit in Guatemala city

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Berg, D. E., R. C. Hershow, et al. (1995). "Control of nosocomial infections in an intensive care unit in Guatemala city." Clinical Infectious Diseases 21(3): 588-593.

Abstract: The authors tested the effectiveness of specific vs. general infection control interventions in a teaching hospital in Guatemala City, Guatemala. After 3 months of prospective surveillance, the authors implemented targeted interventions (i.e., modification of respiratory tract care and use of a closed urinary catheter drainage system), an educational programme focused on respiratory intervention, and general interventions (i.e., aseptic technique). The rate of nosocomial pneumonia, the most common nosocomial infection, decreased from 33% (41 of 123 patients) before intervention to 16% (21 of 130 patients) after intervention (P = 0.001). Although the frequency of hand washing increased from 5% to 63% (P <0.001), the rates of other types of nosocomial infections did not change significantly. The combination of targeted respiratory intervention and an intense, focused educational campaign reduced the rate of nosocomial pneumonia. General improvements in hygiene and hand washing rates, or even implementation of a closed urinary drainage system without focused education, may not be sufficient to reduce infection rates in intensive care units in developing countries.