Health Care Workers In Nigeria Research Articles

RANK-RANKL-OPG System in COVID-19: Examining the Pathway Among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria

<i>Background</i>: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) influences bone metabolism by altering the RANK-RANKL-OPG system. However, this has not been validated, especially among Nigerians. Consequently, the current study explored the influence of the disease on this vital skeletal pathway among Nigerian healthcare workers (HCWs). <i>Methods</i>: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted in the Department of Chemical Pathology of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital among HCWs in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria. Eligible HCWs (n=76) with moderate RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were recruited and compared with age and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained at baseline upon COVID-19 onset and followed up on days four and seven. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive/inferential statistics at a p-value <0.05. <i>Results:</i> The HCWs with moderate COVID-19 had higher serum levels of pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL) but lower serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) t COVID-19 diagnosis compared to the healthy controls (p<0.05). Among the HCWs with positive COVID-19 status, an increasing trend of these inflammatory markers and RANKL was observed from day one to day four and day seven, but a decreasing trend of OPG levels was observed (p<0.05). On day seven following COVID-19 diagnosis among the HCWs, a positive relationship was established between serum RANKL and all the pro-inflammatory markers (p<0.001) while an inverse relationship was only observed between OPG and IL-1β pro-inflammatory marker (p<0.05). <i>Conclusion:</i> The study findings corroborate the negative influence of COVID-019 on the RANK-RANKL-OPG system in favor of exaggerated osteoclastogenesis.

228 - Urinary Incontinence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Experiences of Women and Healthcare Workers in Nigeria and Kenya and Opportunities for Expanding Care

228 - Urinary Incontinence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Experiences of Women and Healthcare Workers in Nigeria and Kenya and Opportunities for Expanding Care

Online Survey on the Acceptance of Latent Tuberculosis Testing and Isoniazid Preventive Therapy among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria

Background: Healthcare workers in Nigeria are exposed to myriads of occupational risks including workplace acquired infections such as tuberculosis. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey and used google form to administer the questionnaire via social media networks. Descriptive statistical methods were used to summarize data on socio-demographic characteristics and responses to questions, Microsoft excel and SPSS version 20.0 for statistical analysis of data summarized as categorical variables, frequency (n) and percentages (%). Results: About six out of ten of the participants believed that they could be severely ill if they got tuberculosis. Majority of respondents 413 (89.2%) reported acceptance of latent TB testing while 87.7% agreed to take Isoniazid treatment if they test positive for LTBI. The occupational risk group was found to be less likely to accept LTBI testing. Also, respondents from the Northeast (OR = 4.225; 95% CI = 1.216-14.688; p value = 0.023) and southeast (OR = 4.494; 95% CI = 1.382-14.609; p value = 0.012) were four times more likely to accept isoniazid preventive treatment respectively. Participants who held that tuberculosis is a serious disease were more likely to accept isoniazid preventive treatment (OR = 2.220; 95% CI = 1.100-4.480 p value = 0.026). The majority of the HCW (56%) in the study never get tested for LTBI. Conclusion: the majority of the healthcare workers in this study showed that TB is a dangerous disease and agreed to get regular testing and isoniazid therapy to prevent tuberculosis.

Breastfeeding support among healthcare workers in Nigeria

BackgroundThe exclusive breastfeeding rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is abysmally low, and based on current trends, achieving the World Health Organization's (WHO) global nutrition goal of a 50% exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2025 will require an additional three decades.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study involving healthcare workers (HCWs) providing direct care to breastfeeding mothers in six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. HCWs were recruited using a stratified random sampling method, with a minimum sample size of 1537. Data was collected through validated-interviewer-administered-questionnaires.ResultsThe mean age of the 1294 respondents was 35.2 ± 10.0 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:3. Overall, breastfeeding knowledge was subsufficient (41.2% across three domains), with specific knowledge gaps observed in breastfeeding for mothers with breast cancer (13.4%) and hepatitis B (59.4%). Only 18.9% correctly identified laid-back and cross-cradle breastfeeding positions. High school and tertiary education were significantly associated with sufficient breastfeeding knowledge (AOR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.299–3.738; AOR: 2.0, 95% CI 1.234–3.205). Negative attitudes toward breastfeeding support were associated with being female (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI 1.094–1.957), while being a doctor was linked to the lowest instructional support (AOR: 0.3, 95% CI 0.118–0.661). Positive attitudes toward breastfeeding support were significantly associated with sufficient knowledge (AOR: 2.4, 95% CI 1.833–3.161; p < 0.001), but not with technical knowledge (AOR: 0.8, 95% CI 0.629–0.993).ConclusionHealthcare workers showed subsufficient overall breastfeeding knowledge, especially regarding breastfeeding in maternal illnesses and positioning. Targeted programs are needed to improve breastfeeding support knowledge, instructional support and attitudes, especially among female HCWs and physicians.

Tuberculin Skin Test Reactivity among Health Care Workers in the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba South-east Nigeria

Background Tuberculosis is one of the infections targeted for eradication and is still under surveillance. Hospital workers in Nigeria take little or no precautions against tuberculosis while attending to patients. Objectives This research aimed to study the prevalence of the reactivity of positive Tuberculin Skin Tests among healthcare workers in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital. Methods Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained from the participants. Two hundred and ten consented participants were recruited for this study, while 185 contributed till the end. The Tuberculin Skin Test was conducted following the standard operating procedures. The chi-square test was used to compare the variable at a significant level of P &lt; 0.05. Of those who received a BGC vaccine &lt; 3 years, 4.8% were excluded from the analyses. Results Mean ± SD of participants’ age was approximately 30 ± 8 years. Participants comprised 87 (47%) males and 98 (53%) females. The modal age group was 21-25 years. Most participants were clinical medical students, 93(50.3%), while doctors, 7 (3.8%), were second to least. The prevalence of positive reactivity to the Tuberculin Skin Test was 29.9%. There was no significant difference observed regarding sexes and positive reactivity. A significant difference was found in reactivity ≥ 10 mm between those who didn’t receive BCG and those who received BCG vaccine ≥ 10 years before the study. Conclusion Healthcare workers can be potential active TB patients and reservoirs. We recommend highly sensitive and specific periodic TB screening, prophylactic treatment, and re-vaccination of Health Care Workers in Nigeria.

Perceived inadequate welfare of healthcare professionals in Nigeria and its influence on service delivery and patients’ safety

This qualitative study examines the perceived inadequate welfare of healthcare professionals in Nigeria and its influence on service delivery and patient wellbeing, focusing on Enugu State. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Data were collected from 12 respondents through oral interviews. The health professionals and patients of three government-owned hospitals in Nsukka LGA formed the study population, where 12 respondents were sampled using purposive and availability sampling techniques. The collected data were analysed thematically. According to the analysis, the welfare of healthcare workers in Nigeria is inadequate. This has a far-reaching impact on the quality of healthcare service delivery and patient’s well-being. The study strongly advocates the need for governmental intervention and collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve working conditions. This study also accentuates the role of social workers in advocating for better healthcare systems and patient safety.

Investigating the emigration intention of health care workers: A cross-sectional study.

To (1) explore the intramigration experience of HCWs within Nigeria, (2) explore the migration intention of health care workers (HCWs) in Nigeria and (3) identify the predictors of migration intention among HCWs in Nigeria. Cross-sectional study. The online survey was used to collect data from 513 HCWs in Nigeria between May and June 2023. Crude and adjusted logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with emigration intention. Analyses were performed on SPSS version 26 at a 95% confidence interval. The study found that 34.4% had intramigration experience, and the rate of intention to emigrate to work in another country was 80.1%. The United Kingdom was the most preferred destination (109 HCWs), followed by Canada (92 HCWs) and the United States (82 HCWs). At the multivariate level, emigration intention was associated with the experience of burnout and duration of practice as a HCW. Nurses had higher emigration intentions than medical doctors. Many HCWs in Nigeria appear to have emigration intent, and nurses are more likely to be willing to migrate than doctors. The Nigerian government may want to explore strategies to reverse the emigration intent of the HCWs in Nigeria.

Prevalence, pattern and factors associated with workplace violence against healthcare workers in Nigeria: A systematic review

Context: Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) is mostly endured, underreported, or neglected in Nigeria. Objective: This study aimed to describe the prevalence, pattern, and predictors of WPV against HCWs in Nigeria. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using pre-defined keywords. The review was performed in line with the PRISMA guidelines on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. The population, intervention, comparator, and outcome (PICO) elements for this study were as follows: Population: Nigerian Healthcare workers; Intervention: Exposure to WPV; Comparator: Non-exposure to WPV; Outcome: Mental and Physical health outcomes of exposure to WPV. Of the 18,140 articles retrieved, 15 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. In all, 3,245 HCWs were included, and consisted majorly of nurses and doctors. Results: The overall prevalence of WPV (Physical &gt; Verbal/Psychological &gt; Sexual) against HCWs ranged between 39.1%-100%. The predictors of WPV are younger ages (AOR = 2.513, p = 0.012), working in psychiatric unit (AOR = 11.182, p = 0.006), and increased frequency of interaction with patients, and mostly perpetrated by patients and their relatives. Many health facilities lacked a formal reporting system and policies to protect HCWs from WPV. Conclusion: WPV against HCWs is a public health problem in Nigeria with dire implications on HCWs; the victims, and the aggressor. Administrators of health facilities should design protocols for WPV reporting, recognition, and management. Patient and 'relatives' education on the 'facilities' policy against WPV should be undertaken, while orientation sessions on the risk factors for HCWs are scheduled.

On-demand mobile hypertension training for primary health care workers in Nigeria: a pilot study

BackgroundOnly one out of every ten Nigerian adults with hypertension has their blood pressure controlled. Health worker training is essential to improve hypertension diagnosis and treatment. In-person training has limitations that mobile, on-demand training might address. This pilot study evaluated a self-paced, case-based, mobile-optimized online training to diagnose and manage hypertension for Nigerian health workers.MethodsTwelve hypertension training modules were developed, based on World Health Organization and Nigerian guidelines. After review by local academic and government partners, the course was piloted by Nigerian health workers at government-owned primary health centers. Primary care physician, nurse, and community health worker participants completed the course on their own smartphones. Before and after the course, hypertension knowledge was evaluated with multiple-choice questions. Learners provided feedback by responding to questions on a Likert scale.ResultsOut of 748 users who sampled the course, 574 enrolled, of whom 431 (75%) completed the course. The average pre-test score of completers was 65.4%, which increased to 78.2% on the post-test (P < 0.001, paired t-test). Health workers who were not part of existing hypertension control programs had lower pre-test scores and larger score gains. Most participants (96.1%) agreed that the training was applicable to their work, and nearly all (99.8%) agreed that they enjoyed the training.ConclusionsAn on-demand mobile digital hypertension training increases knowledge of hypertension management among Nigerian health workers. If offered at scale, such courses can be a tool to build health workforce capacity through initial and refresher training on current clinical guidelines in hypertension and other chronic diseases in Nigeria as well as other countries.

Assessment of Knowledge of Legal Provisions on Organ Donation and Transplantation amongst Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study.

Advancements in the medical field have made organ transplantation an attractive treatment option for patients when indicated. Shortage of organs and commodification of organs are major challenges encountered in organ donation and transplantation. These could potentially breed unethical practices, if the process is not well regulated. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of healthcare workers (HCWs) on the legal provisions regulating organ donation and transplantation in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst physicians and nurses across Nigeria. Knowledge of legal provisions on organ donation and transplantation was assessed using a validated questionnaire that had 21 questions derived from the National Health Act. Each correctly answered question was given 1 point with a total obtainable score of 21 points. A score of ≥14 points was classified as good knowledge. P <0.05 was considered significant. A total of 836 physicians and nurses with a mean age of 37.61 ± 9.78 years participated in the study. Females and physicians constituted 53.3% and 62.9% of the respondents, respectively. The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 9.70 ± 2.91 points. Eighty-three (9.9%) respondents had a good knowledge score. There was a significantly higher proportion of male HCWs (P < 0.037) and older HCWs (P = 0.017) with good knowledge of legal provisions. On logistic regression, age was the only factor found to be associated with good knowledge of legal provision (adjusted odds ratio: 3.92; confidence interval: 1.33-11.59; P = 0.01). The overall knowledge of legal provisions on organ donation and transplant was very poor amongst HCWs in Nigeria. There is a need to educate them on these provisions to curb unethical practices.

Assessment of the knowledge of healthcare workers on monkeypox in Nigeria.

Monkeypox, a re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), poses a public health challenge in Nigeria. To effectively combat this disease, it is essential to assess the knowledge of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Nigeria concerning monkeypox outbreak. A cross-sectional web-based survey with 609 healthcare workers in Nigeria was conducted using a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge of monkeypox. Data were coded and analyzed with Microsoft Excel and Python in Anaconda Jupyter Notebook. The majority of respondents (n=318, 52.2%) had good knowledge of MPXV but also had knowledge gaps regarding certain symptoms and disease similarities. Interestingly, respondents were completely unaware of the possibility of sexual transmission of the disease. However, they recognized the possible significant impact of monkeypox on the social and economic lifestyle of Nigerians (n=582, 95.6%, adjOR=21.181, 95% CI: 14.450-31.051). Respondents had mixed knowledge regarding the use of smallpox vaccines and antiviral agents for monkeypox prevention and treatment. Furthermore, a significant proportion (n=526, 86.4%, adjOR=0.159, 95% CI: 0.126-0.201) attributed the outbreak to bioterrorism. The logistic regression highlighted a strong influence of academic qualification, type of healthcare provider, years of experience, and geopolitical zone of practice, on monkeypox knowledge in Nigeria. The study highlights the importance of continuous education for healthcare professionals in Nigeria to improve monkeypox outbreak management. Despite their moderate performance, there are knowledge gaps in critical areas among HCWs, necessitating further research to explore reasons and influencing factors for knowledge levels.

Level of knowledge, and risk perception of mpox disease among primary healthcare workers in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study of Jigawa, Oyo and Lagos States.

in Nigeria, studies on mpox among primary healthcare workers are scarce despite increasing incidence of mpox disease between 2017-2022. This study aimed to assess primary healthcare workers knowledge and perception of mpox in Nigeria. we conducted a cross-sectional survey among primary healthcare workers in Nigeria (Oyo, Lagos, and Jigawa) to represent different health system capacities and socio-economic contexts. Knowledge of mpox was evaluated in four domains: general knowledge, transmission, signs and symptoms, and prevention and treatment. Each correct response received a score of 1. We categorize the level of knowledge based on the score using the mean score as the cut-off by re-classifying the composite score of respondents for each state into a binary outcome of "good knowledge" if the mean composite score was greater or equals to the mean of overall knowledge score for the three states (16.1), and "poor knowledge" if the mean score equals to sixteen or less than sixteen (≤16). Factors associated with mpox knowledge were explored using multivariable logistic regression at a 5% significance level. Perception of mpox was assessed using five constructs from the health belief model, measured on 3-point Likert scales. Factors associated with each construct were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney-U tests. in our study on healthcare workers, 78.3% (n=239) were aware of mpox disease. Their overall knowledge was moderate, particularly regarding transmission. Meanwhile, less than 50% knew mpox can be transmitted through sharing utensils, and 65.3% (n=156) understood contact with infected animals could lead to transmission. Lagos had lower overall knowledge scores (15.3±2.3) compared to Jigawa (16.9±2.3) and Oyo (16.3±2.5) (p<0.001). Perceived susceptibility was similar across states (p=0.127), and 97.5% (n=233) believed mpox can affect anyone, while 47.3% (113) felt they couldn't contract it. Jigawa exhibited higher perceived severity (p<0.001) and barriers to prevention (p<0.001). primary healthcare workers in all settings had limited knowledge of mpox transmission, with the perception of mpox varying by state and participants' socio-economic characteristics. The responsibility of HCW encompasses a range of activities that include diagnosis, patient care and education, and public health interventions amongst others. Hence it is important to educate HCWs on mpox disease to successfully curtail the spread of mpox.

Agile-Omoluabi Leadership, Technology-Transfer, Government Willingness to Change, Engagement and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Examining the Moderating-Mediating Role of Workplace Happiness in Nigeria’s Healthcare System

On the backdrop of the aggressive move by the healthcare workers in Nigeria to foreign countries to ply their expertise, the country has suffered her worst brain-drain episode leading to been labelled among the 55 countries experiencing healthcare short in Africa. This is right and it call for an array of contextual issues including; leadership, technology transfer, government willingness to change, engagement, organisation citizen behaviour and workplace happiness to tackle this rather unfortunate incidence. A validated questionnaire was employed to gather data from 408 health-care practitioners including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technologists and administrators in public-owned hospitals in Nigeria. A path analysis was used to examine the six-way direct, mediation, and moderation hypotheses. Results showed that agile-Omoluabi leadership, government willingness to change and technology transfer had positive and significant effect on engagement (Adj R2 =0.685, p=0.000, Q2 =0.484), workplace happiness stood as a positive and significant intervening variable mediating the interaction between agile-Omoluabi leadership and organisation citizen behaviour (β=0.257, t= 2.033, p= 0.043) as well as serving a moderator for the linkage between engagement and organisation citizen behaviour (β =0.300; p&lt; 0.000, Q2 =0.365). The findings of this study as practical implication for the ministry of health in Nigeria because it offers strategic information which confirms the twofold relevance of workplace happiness as critical to sustaining health-care practitioners’ engagement and guaranty exhibiting citizen behaviour. Also reinforce the need for government at all levels to show readiness to transform, plan and implement a systematic process of technology transfer and show a leadership that care about the health-care practitioners and one that is dynamic. This if done, should address the brain drain and improve the lost glory of the health-care system in Nigeria.

Targeting systems not individuals: Institutional and structural drivers of absenteeism among primary healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can only be achieved if people receive good quality care from health workers, yet in Nigeria, as in many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), many health workers are absent from work. Absenteeism is a well-known phenomenon but is often considered as the self-serving behaviour of individuals, independent from the characteristics of health systems structures and processes and the broader contexts that enable it. We undertook a qualitative inquiry among 40 key informants, comprising health facility heads and workers, community leaders and state-level health policymakers in Nigeria. We employed a phenomenology approach to examine their lived experiences and grouped findings into thematic clusters. Absenteeism by health workers was found to be a response to structural problems at two levels -midstream (facility-level) and upstream (government level) - rather than being a result of moral failure of individuals. The problems at midstream level pointed to an inconsistent and unfair application of rules and regulations in facilities and ineffective management, while the upstream drivers relate mainly to political interference and suboptimal health system leadership. Reducing absenteeism requires two-pronged interventions that tackle defects in the upstream and midstream rather than just focusing on sanctioning deviant staff (downstream).

Train-the-trainers intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in Nigeria

BackgroundThe first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was reported on February 27, 2020, and over time, spread across the country leading to many healthcare worker infections. The risk of transmission of COVID-19 within healthcare facilities makes it necessary to establish infection prevention and control measures. The World Health Organisation supported the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to conduct a train-the-trainers workshop on infection prevention and control for key healthcare workers across Nigeria. Aim/ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the process and results of train-the-trainers as an intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Nigeria. MethodsEight-hour sessions were held over three days with face-to-face instruction and practical hands-on experience in April 2020. A total of 61 healthcare workers participated across the six geographic zones of Nigeria: North Central, North East, North West, South West, South East, and South South. The training included slide presentations, case-based scenarios, and practical hands-on sessions with plenary discussions. Pre- and post-test assessments were used to evaluate knowledge of COVID-19, triage, and infection prevention and control among healthcare workers. Finding/Results69 % (42) of the participants were male 31 % (19) were female, and the majority (67 %) were medical doctors. Others attending were nurses or health administrators. Of the 70 % (26) of the states with existing infection prevention and control structures within the COVID emergency response, only 40 % were functional. The average percentage of pre-test and post-test scores were 60.8 ± 13.4 and 67.8 ± 9 0.3 respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p > 0.001) in trainee knowledge. Additionally, 70 % of participants evaluated the training workshop as “satisfactory” or higher in training format, relevance for daily clinical work, active participation, learning new concepts, and logistics. ConclusionNationwide infection prevention and control training is feasible during a national health crisis. Infection prevention and control is cardinal in the containment of epidemic-prone diseases like COVID-19 and is invaluable in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings.

The practice of using repurposed medications as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 by healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that has been reported in virtually every country. Healthcare workers (HCW) are more at risk of COVID-19 than the general population making them a priority group for vaccination. Before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, some HCW were using some repurposed, unapproved drugs to possibly prevent the disease. This study evaluated the frequency and pattern of drug use for COVID-19 prevention. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of HCW conducted in Southern Nigeria. Data was obtained from the participants using a questionnaire and blood sample was obtained for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. One hundred and sixty-six participants were enrolled in this study. Thirty-two (19.3%) of them had taken a repurposed medication as prophylaxis for COVID-19. The most used drugs were Vitamin C (9%), Azithromycin (8.4%) and Zinc (6.6%). History of contact with patient with confirmed COVID-19 and being a pharmacist were independent factors associated with the use of COVID-19 prophylaxis. Several HCW in Nigeria take drugs to possibly prevent COVID-19. These medications may not offer significant protection against COVID-19. There is an urgent need to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in HCW in Nigeria.

Blood and body fluids exposure, post-exposure prophylaxis, and HIV self-testing among healthcare workers in northern Nigeria

Introduction In high-HIV burden settings, such as Nigeria, HIV self-testing and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are often recommended, but not widely practiced. This study aims to identify the predictors of PEP utilization and preferences for HIV self-testing among healthcare workers in Nigeria. Methods A total of 403 healthcare workers from a tertiary hospital in Nigeria completed questionnaires. Adjusted odds ratios were derived from logistic regression models. Results Among the respondents, 141 (35.0%) reported experiencing at least one workplace exposure incident, with 72 (51.1%) of them receiving PEP. The majority of healthcare workers (n = 354, 87.8%) expressed a preference for HIV self-testing over traditional HIV testing and counseling. The occurrence of exposure incidents was predicted by the respondent’s sex (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-3.08, female vs. male), age (aOR = 0. 16; 95% CI: 0.03-0.92, >40 vs. <30 years), profession (aOR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.18-4.66, nurse/midwife vs. physician), work unit (aOR = 0.06; 95% CI: 0.02-0.23, obstetrics/gynecology vs. surgery), and previous HIV testing and counseling (aOR = 0.01; 95% Cl: 0.004-0.03, no vs. yes). Respondent’s profession, work unit, and previous HIV testing and counseling independently predicted a preference for HIV self-testing. Conclusion Further exploration of the feasibility of implementing HIV self-testing as an alternative to traditional HIV testing and counseling for workplace exposures is warranted.

The practice of using repurposed medications as chemoprophylaxis for COVID-19 by healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that has been reported in virtually every country. Healthcare workers (HCW) are more at risk of COVID-19 than the general population making them a priority group for vaccination. Before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in Nigeria, some HCW were using some repurposed, unapproved drugs to possibly prevent the disease. This study evaluated the frequency and pattern of drug use for COVID-19 prevention. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of HCW conducted in Southern Nigeria. Data was obtained from the participants using a questionnaire and blood sample was obtained for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23. One hundred and sixty-six participants were enrolled in this study. Thirty-two (19.3%) of them had taken a repurposed medication as prophylaxis for COVID-19. The most used drugs were Vitamin C (9%), Azithromycin (8.4%) and Zinc (6.6%). History of contact with patient with confirmed COVID-19 and being a pharmacist were independent factors associated with the use of COVID-19 prophylaxis. Several HCW in Nigeria take drugs to possibly prevent COVID-19. These medications may not offer significant protection against COVID-19. There is an urgent need to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in HCW in Nigeria.

Hepatitis B vaccination status among health workers in Nigeria: a nationwide survey between January to June 2021

BackgroundHepatitis B vaccination is the most important preventive measure against Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection. Vaccination against HBV infection among healthcare workers is important because of their daily exposure to patients’ body fluids and the possible risk of transmission to other patients. Hence, this study assessed the risk of hepatitis B infection, vaccination status and associated factors among healthcare workers in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.MethodsA nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2021 using electronic data capture techniques to enroll 857 healthcare workers (HCWs) in regular contact with patients and their samples through a multi-stage sampling method.ResultsThe participants’ mean (SD) age was 38.7 (8.0) years, and 453 (52.9%) were female. Each of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria had a fair representation, with a range of 15.3 to 17.7% of the study population. The majority (83.8%) of healthcare workers in Nigeria knew that they were at an increased risk of being infected by their work. Also, 72.2% knew that if infected, there was a high risk of liver cancer in later life. Many participants (642 [74.9%]) responded that they consistently applied standard precautions, such as hand washing, gloves, and face masks while attending to patients. Three hundred and sixty (42.0%) participants were fully vaccinated. Of the 857 respondents, 248 (28.9%) did not receive any dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Factors that were associated with not being vaccinated included age less than 25 [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.796, 95% CI 1.119 to 20.547, p = 0.035], being a nurse (AOR 2.346, 95% CI 1.446 to 3.808, p = 0.010), being a health attendant (AOR 9.225, 95% CI 4.532 to 18.778, p = 0.010), and being a healthcare worker from the Southeast (AOR 2.152, 95% CI 1.186 to 3.904, p = 0.012) in Nigeria.ConclusionThis study showed a high level of awareness of the risks associated with hepatitis B infection and suboptimal uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine among healthcare workers in Nigeria.

COVID-19 related traumatic stress symptoms and associated factors among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

COVID-19 related traumatic stress symptoms and associated factors among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study