Enugu Metropolis Research Articles

Workplace Conflict Manifestations and Turnover Intentions of Employees of Hospitality Organizations in Enugu Metropolis, South – East Nigeria

Workplace Conflict Manifestations and Turnover Intentions of Employees of Hospitality Organizations in Enugu Metropolis, South – East Nigeria

Effect of referral for dental service on dental-service utilization by primary school children aged 8 to 11 years in Enugu, Nigeria

Aim: To determine how one dental education session and referral of study participants aged 8-11 years would affect utilization of oral-health care services. Methods: This descriptive prospective study recruited 1,406 pupils aged 8-11 years from randomly selected primary schools in Enugu metropolis. All pupils received one oral-health education and referral letters for treatment. Data were collected on the pupils’ socio-demographic profile, family structure, and history of oral-health care utilization in the 12 months preceding the study and within 12 months of receipt of referral letter. The effect of these factors as predictors of past and recent dental service utilization was determined using logistic regression. Results: Only 4.3% of the study participants had ever used oral-health services in the 12 months prior to the study. Within 12 months of issuing the referral letters, 9.0% of pupils used the oral-health services. Children from middle (AOR: 0.46; CI: 0.29-0.73; p=0.001) and low socioeconomic strata (AOR: 0.21; CI: 0.11-0.39; p<0.001) and those living with relatives/guardians (AOR: 0.08, CI: 0.01-0.56; p=0.01) were still less likely to have utilized oral-health services. Conclusions: Referral of children for oral-health care increased the number of children who utilized oral health care services.

Computer Programming Competencies Required by Computer Education Graduates for Sustainable Employment

This study identified the computer programming competencies required of computer education graduates for sustainable employment in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state, Nigeria. Three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population for the study was 95, which comprised of 74 computing lecturers, 6 IT programming instructors, and 15 programmers. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by three experts in computer programming. Cronbach Alpha statistic was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument, yielding reliability co-efficient of 0.83. Mean and Standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while ANOVA statistic was used to test the hypothesis. The study found out that 25 hard competencies, 18 business competencies, and 19 soft competencies are required by computer education graduates for sustainable employment in programming jobs. These competencies identified include among others, ability to code, test and debug programs quickly and efficiently; ability to explore and evaluate application design considerations for multiple technologies, ability to analyze users’ needs and specifications then design, test, and develop software to meet those needs, ability to recommend software upgrades for clients’ existing programs and systems, proficiency in data mining, confidence in personal ideas but open to feedbacks, adapting to changes while remaining focused on project with topmost priority and good sense of judgment. It was therefore recommended that the identified competencies should be incorporated in the curriculum for training Computer Education graduates for sustainability in programming jobs.

Assessment of Client/Center Admimistrative Factors That Affect Nurses’ Utilization of Partograph in Primary/Secondary Health Care Facilities in Enugu Metropolis

Assessment of Client/Center Admimistrative Factors That Affect Nurses’ Utilization of Partograph in Primary/Secondary Health Care Facilities in Enugu Metropolis

Issues in Malaria Communication in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract Communication plays an important part in health promotion. Malaria affects millions of people worldwide, and is a major health challenge in Africa. This study seeks to determine the health communication interventions so far used on malaria, find out what has been achieved and suggest the way forward. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, along with documents to address the subject matter. The target population consists of all the people in Enugu metropolis with study population comprising healthcare providers, patients and the general public drawn from Enugu metropolis. Purposive sampling technique was employed in the selection of 130 respondents that were studied. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test of independence were used to analyze the data. About 93.8% of the respondents were aware of the interventions on malaria. They have a good knowledge of available interventions on malaria: ITNs (86.2%), IRS (51%), and IPT (20%). The distribution of media friendly intervention was highest for ITN, (47.6%) followed by IRS (26.7%). Also IPT are not only rarely (29.6%) aired and /or received, but also never (30.3%) publicized or received. Interventions on malaria were not independent of mass media interventions (p= 0.007) while the degree of awareness of malaria is independent on the communication avenues (p= 0.378). Health interventions and policy framework to address malaria in Nigeria are available. However, there is need for audience-specific communication and attitudinal change to ensure improved uptake.

An Assessment of Hygiene Maintenance Factors Effect on Employees’ Productivity in Nigerian Telecommunication Industry

The study aimed at establishing an assessment of hygiene maintenance factors effects on employees’productivity. The hygiene/maintenance factors play vital role in employees’ productivity. They do not motivate employee in organization, yet they must be present or dissatisfaction will arise. . The study is aimed to pursue the following objectives: To determine the extent to which working conditions improve the performance of employees, to ascertain the effect of interpersonal relations within the organization on firms’ profitability and to assesthe extent to whichcompensation improve the performance of employees.The study was conducted using the survey approach. The geographical scope of the study was Mobile telecommunication network (MTN), located within Enugu metropolis. Two sources of data were utilized in the study: they included primary and secondary sources. The primary source wasthrough the administration of copies of designed questionnaire to a total of forty one respondents that made up the sample size for the study.

An Assessment of TV Consumers’ Awareness of Digital Migration Process in Enugu Metropolis

This research assessed the level of awareness of digital migration process among TV consumers in Enugu metropolis. The study drew on the theoretical insights of Diffusion of Innovation theory to explain the diffusion path of digital migration process. The study adopted survey method employing questionnaire to collect data from respondents. Using multi-stage sampling technique, the research was guided by three research objectives and research questions respectively. The study found low level of awareness of digital migration process among residents of Enugu metropolis. Discontented with the current TV viewing experience, the respondents showed favourable disposition to digital migration and expressed willingness to explore new TV viewing experience it presents. The research established the viability potentials for the adoption of digital broadcasting among residents of Enugu metropolis as respondents acknowledged that favourable testimonial on impressive functioning of digital broadcasting from a reliable source would further encourage them to embrace the technology. Given the centrality of awareness to the diffusion process, this paper recommended well-designed sensitisation campaigns to educate Nigerians on digital migration process for a successful digital roll-out. Keywords: digitisation. analogue. broadcasting. TV. switch-over. Nigeria.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Utilization of Partograph by Nurses/ Midwives in Primary/Secondary Health Facilities in Enugu Metropolis

This study aimed at evaluating factors that impede utilization and those that promote the utilization partograph by nurses/midwives in monitoring labour in primary/secondary health facilities in Enugu metropolis. Seven health facilities were selected using convenience sampling method. One hundred and twenty six nurses/midwives were used while self- structured questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. The findings of this study revealed that majority of the nurses/ midwives face a lot of challenges in utilizing the partograph. Some of the major factors that impede the utilization include lack of knowledge of the partograph 68(54%) and inability to interpret findings correctly after assessment with the partograph (73.8%). The major factors that can promote the utilization of partograph include provision of necessary resources such as observation tools (83.3%) like sphygmomanometer, fetoscope and provision of partograph charts in the labour wards (69%). It was concluded that the major factors in the nurses/ midwives that impede the utilization of partograph includes lack of knowledge, inability to interpret findings correctly after assessment with the partograph and that partograph is an additional time consuming task for the inadequate staff. It is recommended that all nurses/ midwives should work towards self-development through education to increase knowledge and skill on partograph use. Management should stand up for their responsibility to encourage and sponsor seminars/workshops as well as conferences on partograph use for quality client care.

Knowledge of medical students about epilepsy: Need for a change.

Though most doctors in their professional life will provide care for people with epilepsy, many will not get further training in their professional life. There may be other barriers, perceived or not, to providing care to people living with epilepsy by doctors which need to be approached in the medical undergraduate curriculum and medical continuing education. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge gaps of medical students on basic issues regarding epilepsy that could be useful in preparing training material for the students and continuous medical education for doctors working in the community. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in one of the medical schools in Enugu metropolis. Data collection was done using a semi-structured validated questionnaire. Seizure was regarded as a movement disorder by 10.3% of the students. The rank of causes of epilepsy given by respondents was brain injury (88%), brain tumor (87%) genetics (62.3%), and strokes (55.1%). Significantly more students who did neurology posting correctly answered that stroke is a risk factor (P < 0.001), disagreed that sleep deprivation is a risk factor (P = 0.04), and recognized different seizure types (P < 0.001-0.002). The mean score was 17.8 ± 2.3% (71.2 ± 9.2%); significantly higher in those who did neurology posting. Students scored lowest on questions regarding risk factors and duration of treatment. The content of medical curriculum in Africa should emphasize not only the content of lectures on epilepsy but also the need for students to go through neurology posting during their training. The outcome would be both better knowledge and improved physician-patient relations.

English

Patient satisfaction survey with health care services is a growing concept in Nigeria where study on the subject is just beginning to gather momentum. Satisfaction with health care services has not been given the attention it deserves, let alone comparing institutional differences on the subject. The purpose of this study was to understand the factors that may account for differentials in patient satisfaction with radiological services in a public and a private hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in two hospitals of public and private nature in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. Three hundred respondents responded to the survey; one hundred and forty five from the public hospital and one hundred and fifty five from the private hospital. Males were ninety two 92(30.7%) in number while females constituted the majority with two hundred and eight 208(69%). The data was analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics using 95% confidence interval. ANOVA test for significance, chi-square for association and regression for differences were applied in the analysis. Patient satisfaction with radiological services was better and in favour of the private hospital which registered a mean level of satisfaction of 3.96 as against the public hospital that registered a mean level of satisfaction of 3.43, at 95% confidence interval. Respondents at both facilities were not impressed by radiographers/nurses in nine same service areas and as such performances in those areas were poorly rated and were seen as sources of dissatisfaction. Providers of health care services and radiographers in particular need special orientation in customer relations to foster good patient satisfaction strategies. Governments and the university system could help in this direction by improving on the curricula of radiographers to include professional code of conduct and patient-centredness while in the university. &nbsp; Key words: Differentials, patients, satisfaction, routine, radiological, services, public, private, professional, conduct.

Water quality assessment of the Asata River catchment area in Enugu Metropolis, Southeast Nigeria

Hydrogeochemical mapping of the Asata River Catchment area in the Enugu metropolis, southeast Nigeria was carried out in order to assess the quality of the surface and groundwater and based on the analyses of the hydrogeochemical data, establish the level of chemical contaminations which inhibit the availability of potable water in the area. Forty (40) water samples comprising five (5) springs, nineteen (19) surface (streams/rivers) and sixteen (16) groundwater (well/borehole) samples were collected and analysed for the presence and degree of contamination of nine (9) major chemical contaminants. Hydrochemical analyses indicate that Electrical Conductivity (EC) which has a linear relationship with Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) ranges between 015 and 887 μS/cm, pH between 4.4 and 8.3, nitrate (NO3−) ranges between 40 and 130 mg/l and chloride (Cl−) between 7 and 130 mg/l. The concentrations of the dissolved chemical constituents defined the pollution trend and the rate of dispersion of contaminants. The degree of contaminants followed a simple trend, where the level of contamination of the dissolved chemical constituents is least in sampled spring water, with measured chemical constituents of EC, pH, NO3− and Cl− range from 15 to 354 μS/cm; 6.4–6.5; 4.0–70 mg/l and 8–36 mg/l, respectively. However, the value of the measured chemical constituent of EC, pH, NO3− and Cl− gradually increases down the stream in both the surface (63–354 μS/cm; 4.5–7.7; 7.1–110 mg/l; 8–41 mg/l) and groundwater (56–531 μS/cm; 4.5–7.5; 40–130 mg/l; 7–130 mg/l), respectively. Noticeable peaks in contamination levels characterised sections of the study area where human population or their activities is highest.The result of the hydrogeochemical mapping indicate that Enugu coal mine operation, the industrial activities, fertilizer applied to plants cultivated on river banks and domestic human wastes which are indiscriminately dumped along river channels are the major sources of chemical contamination in the Asata River catchment area. An adequate water resource management scheme is urgently needed to rescue the shallow regolith aquifer from being permanently damaged. Acts such as construction of uncased toilet pits and septic tanks into the thin shallow regolith aquifer, application of inorganic fertilizers along river bank farms and indiscriminate dumping of untreated industrial and human wastes should also be discouraged.

Correlates for psycho-active substance use among boarding secondary school adolescents in Enugu, South East, Nigeria.

BackgroundPsycho-active substance use among adolescents is a national and global problem and its attendant effects on adolescents cannot be overemphasized.The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use among adolescents; the substances involved and the extent of the problem in this locale.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that assesses the pattern of psychoactive substance use among secondary school adolescents in Enugu, south East, Nigeria. The study was carried out among adolescents attending six secondary boarding schools in Enugu metropolis of Enugu State of Nigeria.The WHO Student Drug Use Questionnaire was adapted for this study.Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS), version 17. Chi-square and multivariate regression were used as a test of significance for qualitative variables. A p-value less than 0.05 were accepted as significant for each statistical test.ResultsOut of 900, a total of 896 respondents, comprising 400 and 82 boys (482) (53.8 %) and 400 and 14 girls (414) (46.2 %) completed the questionnaires. This gave a response rate of 99.6 %.The study revealed that the prevalence of current use for psychoactive substances ranges from 0.4 to 34.9 % while that for life use ranges from 0.8 to 63.5 %. The least being cannabis and the most being kola nuts.Kola nut is the most widely used psychoactive substance both for current use, past year use and the respondents’ life time use. It shows a lifetime prevalence of 63.5 % and a current use prevalence of 34.9 %.More than half of the users of each of the psychoactive substances take it occasionally, using them on 1–5 days in a month. On the other hand, almost one-quarter of the users of each of the substances take it on 20 or more days in a month.ConclusionThe study revealed that the prevalence of current use for psychoactive substances ranges from 0.4 to 34.9 % while that for life use ranges from 0.8 to 63.5 %. The least being cannabis and the most being kola nuts.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12887-016-0615-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

New Data on the Enugu Somatization Scale, Taking Frequency and Intensity of Somatic Experiences of Nigerians into Consideration

Background: The Enugu Somatization Scale (ESS) measures somatic complaints of psychological origin indicating psychiatric disturbance. The scale was originally designed to measure somatic complaints using a dichotomous Yes / No response. Through observation and feedback it was noted that some information about intensity and frequency might not be captured using Yes / No answer modus. Aim: (1) To compare intensity and frequency of response as viable options for clinical assessment of somatic complaints. (2) To re-examine the Enugu Somatization Scale (ESS) items several years after its development. (3) To conduct factorial analysis to evaluate the factors within the scale. Method: The ESS was rescaled to capture intensity and frequency. It was administered to a cross-section of 200 stressed normal purposively drawn from a student group in the Enugu metropolis. Results: Both measurements; that is intensity and frequency correlated significantly at r = 0.54. Factor analysis of the data showed emergence of two factors. Most items loaded significantly on head and body factors. The internal consistency using frequency was 0.96 and using intensity 0.97. Males scored significantly higher than females both as a whole and in the subscales of Head and Body. Conclusion: It is important to measure intensity and frequency of somatic complaints, especially given the need to operationalizing somatic complaints in a country where Western diagnostic classification systems might not be most suitable. This makes this study particularly important.

Seroprevalence and Correlates of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Secondary School Children in Enugu, Nigeria.

Background:Although children comprise a small fraction of the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, which is a major global health challenge, a significant number of them develop chronic HCV infection and are at risk of its complications.Aim:The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection in school children in Enugu urban.Subjects and Methods:This was a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study involving children aged 10–18 years selected using multistage systematic sampling in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. The anti-HCV was tested using a 3rd generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0 with the level of significance set at P < 0.05.Results:Four hundred and twenty children were selected and screened comprising 210 (50.0%) males and females. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 4 (1.0%). Three (75%) out of the four positive cases for the anti-HCV were females while one was a male giving a male to female ratio of 0.3–1. Traditional scarifications/tattoos were the putative risk factors observed to be significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity.Conclusion:This study has demonstrated an anti-HCV seroprevalence of 1.0% among children aged 10–18 years in Enugu with traditional scarification as the predominant associated risk factor. Proper health education including school health education and promotion of behavioral change among the public on the practice of safe scarifications/tattoos should be encouraged in our setting.

Affluence and adolescent obesity in a city in south-east Nigerian: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Pediatric obesity is becoming a public health challenge in both developed and developing countries. While poverty is a known risk factor for pediatric obesity in developed countries, the role of socioeconomic class in developing countries remains unclear. This study aims to determine the prevalence of adolescent obesity in Enugu, south-east Nigeria, and relate same to socioeconomic class. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of adolescents aged 10-19 years in Enugu metropolis. The participants were enrolled by multistage sampling method. Their weights and heights were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The participants were classified as obese, overweight, and normal using age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles. Socioeconomic class was determined using parental income and educational level. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: A total of 2,419 participants were included in the study (1,242 males and 1,177 females). Their mean age was 14.80 ± 2.07 years. The prevalence rates of obesity and overweight were 5.7% and 7.2%, respectively. Females were more likely to be overweight and obese [odds ratio (OR) = 2.55, P < 0.001, OR = 2.66, P < 0.001, respectively]. Adolescents from the upper socioeconomic class were more likely to be obese [OR = 2.57, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80–3.67]. Conclusion: Adolescent obesity in Enugu, south-east Nigeria, is more common among children from the upper socioeconomic class.

Engaging Nigerian community pharmacists in public health programs: assessment of their knowledge, attitude and practice in Enugu metropolis.

ObjectivesThe Nigerian health sector battles with control of infectious diseases and emerging non-communicable diseases. Number of healthcare personnel involved in public health programs need to be boosted to contain the health challenges of the country. Therefore, it is important to assess whether community pharmacists in Nigeria could be engaged in the promotion and delivery of various public health interventions. This study aimed to assess level of knowledge, attitude and practice of public health by community pharmacists.MethodsThe cross sectional survey was carried out in Enugu metropolis. Questionnaire items were developed from expert literature. Percentage satisfactory knowledge and practice were obtained by determining the percentage of community pharmacists that were able to list more than 2 activities or that stated the correct answer. Attitude score represents the average score on the 5 point Likert scale for each item. Chi square and Fisher’s exact test were used to test for statistically significant difference in knowledge, attitude and practice of public health between different groups of community pharmacists.ResultsForty pharmacists participated in the survey. About one third of the participants had satisfactory knowledge of public health. With the exception of one item in attitude assessment, average item score ranged from ‘agreed’ to ‘strongly agreed’. Study participants scored below satisfactory on practice of public health. Knowledge, attitude and practice of public health were not influenced by years of practice, qualification and prior public health experience. Reported barriers to the practice of public health include inadequate funds, lack of time, lack of space, cooperation of clients, inadequate staff, government regulation, insufficient knowledge, and remuneration.ConclusionsLevel of knowledge and practice of public health by community pharmacists were not satisfactory although they had a positive attitude towards practice of public health. The findings highlight the importance of educational interventions targeted towards practicing community pharmacists to improve their knowledge level on public health issues. Providing incentives for public health services rendered could increase community pharmacists’ engagement in public health activities.

A Comparative Study of the Perceptions of Accounting Educators and Accountants on Skills Required of Accounting Education Graduates in Automated Offices

The study dealt with perception of accounting educators and senioraccountants on skills required of accountingeducation graduates for effective job performance in automated offices. The study adopted a descriptiveresearchdesign.The population consisted of 149 respondents, made up of 80 accounting educatorsin public tertiaryinstitutionsand 69 senioraccountants in government ministries in Enugu metropolis of Enugu State, Nigeria. Theentire population was used for the study and no sample was drawn. Two research questions and two hypothesesguided the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher.The instrument was validated by three experts. A 32 item questionnaire was used for data collection. The datacollected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation while t-test was used to test the hypothesesat 0.05 levelof significance. The findings of the study revealed that accounting education graduates requiretechnology skills suchas computer operations skill, word processing soft ware, spreadsheet software etcand soft skills such as ability toanalyze and interpret financial data, interact with diverse groups; Listen actively to one’s boss etc for effective jobperformance in automated offices. The study concluded that Technology and soft skills are required by accountingeducation graduates for effective job performance in automated offices. It was recommended among others thattechnology and soft skills should be an integral part of accounting education curriculum.

Cytopathological Examination and Epidemiological Study of Cervicitis in Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) in Coal City (Enugu), Nigeria.

llicit sexual behavior by commercial sex workers (CSW) may have a disproportionate impact on the reproductive health of a woman that often leads to cervicitis. This study aimed at examining the cytopathology, patterns, prevalence and burden of cervicitis in CSW in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Cervical smear was collected from the endocervix of about one hundred and eighteen (n=118) CSWs between November, 2014 and February, 2015 using the liquid-based cytology (LBC) method. Smears were processed and stained by the modified Papanicolaou method. Leftover samples were tested for sexually transmitted diseases, especially N. gonorrhea, and C. trachomatis using ligase chain reaction and nucleic acid amplification test. A randomized sampling design was used for data collection. Cytopathological examination of cervicitis in CSWs showed a moderate infection, and moderately severe to chronic inflammatory cells. The epidemiological study revealed that acute cervicitis are predominant 7(5.9%) and 2(1.7%) are chronic cervicitis. The prevalence of CSWs living with cervicitis in Enugu, Nigeria (7.6%), is significantly affected by age and working duration as CSWs. Also, Chlamydia trachomatis is the solely associated pathogen implicated in cervicitis group (n=9). Candidiasis infection (n=12) and T. vaginalis (n=3) are observed in non-cervicitis group (n=109) while the association between C. trachomatis and cervicitis infection is statistically significant (P= 0.0221). Acute cervicitis was prevalent with a preponderance of 4:1 in CSWs in Enugu, Nigeria. C. trachomatis infection was the most prevalent etiologic agent of cervicitis in this study. Further molecular study of LBC smears from CSWs using PCR is strongly recommended.

Assessment of Lipid Profile of Enteric Fever Patients in Enugu Metropolis, South-East Nigeria: Useful or Useless?

Enteric fever has been implicated in complications such as severe sepsis and in alteration of some biochemical and hematological parameters. Enteric fever affects the intestine, which is also the site for lipid absorption, but its possible effect on lipid metabolism is unclear. The present study was aimed at estimating the lipid profile of enteric fever patients in Enugu metropolis. Lipid profile of 200 enteric fever patients and 100 apparently healthy subjects in Enugu metropolis were determined using standard techniques. Enteric fever was investigated using rapid slide titration method and the confirmatory test done with Enterocheck-WB^® kit. Serum Total Cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerol (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (VLDL-C) were assayed using standard operative procedures. Statistical analysis was done with graph pad prism computer soft ware using student's t-test to test for statistical significance. P-values of ＜0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The lipid profile of all the patients showed non-significant difference (p＞0.05) when compared with the control. However, when the male and female subjects where separately analyzed, TC and LDL-C significantly increased (p＜0.05) in the male subjects compared to the male controls, whereas the female subjects showed significant decrease (p＜0.05) compared to the female control. The study suggests that lipid profile is not significantly altered in enteric fever infection and thus may be useless in enteric fever management.

Quality of artemisinin-based combination formulations for malaria treatment: prevalence and risk factors for poor quality medicines in public facilities and private sector drug outlets in Enugu, Nigeria.

BackgroundArtemisinin-based combination therapies are recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as first-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, yet medication must be of good quality for efficacious treatment. A recent meta-analysis reported 35% (796/2,296) of antimalarial drug samples from 21 Sub-Saharan African countries, purchased from outlets predominantly using convenience sampling, failed chemical content analysis. We used three sampling strategies to purchase artemisinin-containing antimalarials (ACAs) in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria, and compared the resulting quality estimates.MethodsACAs were purchased using three sampling approaches - convenience, mystery clients and overt, within a defined area and sampling frame in Enugu metropolis. The active pharmaceutical ingredients were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmed by mass spectrometry at three independent laboratories. Results were expressed as percentage of APIs stated on the packaging and used to categorise each sample as acceptable quality, substandard, degraded, or falsified.ResultsContent analysis of 3024 samples purchased from 421 outlets using convenience (n=200), mystery (n=1,919) and overt (n=905) approaches, showed overall 90.8% ACAs to be of acceptable quality, 6.8% substandard, 1.3% degraded and 1.2% falsified. Convenience sampling yielded a significantly higher prevalence of poor quality ACAs, but was not evident by the mystery and overt sampling strategies both of which yielded results that were comparable between each other. Artesunate (n=135; 4 falsified) and dihydroartemisinin (n=14) monotherapy tablets, not recommended by WHO, were also identified.ConclusionRandomised sampling identified fewer falsified ACAs than previously reported by convenience approaches. Our findings emphasise the need for specific consideration to be given to sampling frame and sampling approach if representative information on drug quality is to be obtained.