Health Care Workers In Nigeria Research Articles

Belief in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories, Level of Trust in Government Information, and Willingness to Take COVID-19 Vaccines Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Survey Study.

The World Health Organization recently declared vaccine hesitancy or refusal as a threat to global health. COVID-19 vaccines have been proven efficacious and are central to combatting the pandemic. However, many-including skilled health care workers (HCWs)-have been hesitant in taking the vaccines. Conspiracy theories spread on social media may play a central role in fueling vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to investigate HCWs' belief in COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories (ie, that the vaccines can alter one's DNA or genetic information and that the vaccines contain microchips) and trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines. Health care workers in Ondo State, Nigeria, representing different health care professions were asked to participate anonymously in an online survey. The participants were asked about their beliefs in 2 viral conspiracy theories and their trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines. We used multivariable logistic regressions to investigate the relationships between trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines and (1) belief in DNA alteration, (2) belief in microchip implantation through the vaccine, and (3) willingness to accept the vaccine. A total of 557 HCWs (n=156, 28% men and n=395, 70.9% women) were included in the study. A total of 26.4% (n=147) of the sampled HCWs believed COVID-19 vaccines contained digital microchips, while 30% (n=167) believed the vaccines could alter one's DNA or genetic information. The beliefs varied according to professional group, with 45.8% (55/120) and 50% (5/10) of nurses and pharmacists, respectively, believing in the DNA alteration theory and 33.3% (40/120) and 37.5% (6/16) of the nurses and laboratory scientists, respectively, believing in the microchip theory. Social media was an important source of COVID-19 information for 45.4% (253/557) of HCWs. A total of 76.2% (419/550) of the participants expressed a willingness to take the vaccine. The odds of HCWs believing that COVID-19 vaccines contained digital microchips increased significantly with decreasing level of trust in government information on COVID-19 vaccines (odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% CI 2.6-8.0). We made a similar finding in those who believed COVID-19 vaccines could alter DNA and genetic information (OR 5.2, 95% CI 3.1-8.8). Misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines reaches and influences HCWs. A high proportion of the sampled HCWs believed that COVID-19 vaccines contained microchips or that the vaccines could alter recipients' DNA and genetic information. This might have negative consequences in terms of the HCWs' own COVID-19 vaccination and their influence on other people. Lack of trust in government and its institutions might explain the belief in both conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy. There is a need for health care stakeholders in Nigeria and around the world to actively counteract misinformation, especially on social media, and give HCWs necessary scientifically sound information.

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in Nigeria: A systematic review protocol

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant change in society. Healthcare workers are at risk of contracting the novel virus while at work as it becomes a hospital-acquired infection, starting from the first wave of the pandemic. Healthcare workers can acquire and transmit the virus from the medical workplace to their households. Hence they must receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, some healthcare workers have refused to get inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, exhibiting vaccine hesitancy. There are several reasons healthcare workers knowledgeable about vaccines refuse to receive them—this protocol is for a systematic review of hesitation towards the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in Nigeria.
 Aim and Objectives: To investigate vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers in Nigeria.
 Methods and Analysis: This protocol followed the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-P) 2015 guideline and is registered with PROSPERO. The registration number is CRD42022365489. We will conduct an electronic search for pertinent papers in several databases, including Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Library, Scopus, web of Science Citation Index, and African Index Medicus. The search period will be between March 7, 2021 to March 27, 2023, for published articles on healthcare professionals' hesitation to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
 Three independent reviewers will select the articles based on strict eligibility criteria, and a fourth reviewer will address any disagreement.
 We will use the New Castle Ottawa scale to assess the risk of bias in the included studies and perform quantitative and qualitative synthesis. The former is for sufficiently similar studies, using Review Manager Version 5.3. While the latter will be conducted where variabilities exist among the studies.
 Conclusion: Even though healthcare workers have more knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccine compared to the members of the public, some of them exhibit hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine.

Assessment of the Quality of Life of Healthcare Workers in Nigeria during COVID- 19 Pandemic

Background: COVID-19 pandemic caused increased pressure at work, coupled with a lack of appropriate infection prevention and treatment guidelines, and led increased work burdens, increased burnout, psychological symptoms, and post-traumatic stress. The quality of life of healthcare workers during the pandemic can therefore have a profound negative impact on the healthcare needs of the general population. Aims/objectives: This study was designed to explore the mental health status among HCWs in Nigeria during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic and identify the determining factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out using a semi-structured online questionnaire. SurveyMonkey was used as the survey platform. The questionnaire used was distributed through email and WhatsApp. The study participants were HCWs in Nigeria and were recruited using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Results: Responses gotten from one hundred and fifty-four (154) participants were included in this study which was made up of 84(54.5%) females and 70(45.5%) male participants. The mean age of respondents was 38.8±8.1 years. More than half of the respondents were doctors (50.6%, n=78), followed by Nurses (33.1%, n=51). The mean composite SOS-10 score was 51.6±7.63. Majority of study participants recorded good composite score (94.2%, n=145) with only one participant having a poor score (0.6%). The median composite SOS-10 score of respondents was 52 (of a maximum of 60), with an interquartile range of 49-47. There was no correlation between the respondent’s age, sex, religion, marital status, professional status, medical history, medical insurance, and the number of years and SOS-10 scores (rs = 1.00, p >0.05). However, there is a correlation between the respondents’ general health rating and SOS-10 scores (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study found that the QoL of healthcare workers in Nigeria was not af­fected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the first wave of the pandemic

Nigeria healthcare worker SARS-CoV-2 serology study: Results from a prospective, longitudinal cohort.

Healthcare workers, both globally and in Nigeria, have an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with the general population due to higher risk contacts, including occupational exposures. In addition, primary healthcare workers represent an important group for estimating prior infection to SARS-CoV-2 because they work at the first point-of-contact for most patients yet have not been included in prior COVID-19 seroepidemiology research in Nigeria. We sought to evaluate baseline seroprevalence, rates of seroconversion (IgG- to IgG+) and seroreversion (IgG+ to IgG-), change in IgG concentration at 3- and 6-month follow-up, and factors associated with seropositivity. From June 2020 to December 2020, we conducted a longitudinal seroepidemiology study among frontline health care workers in Nigeria using a validated dried blood spot assay. Among 525 participants, mean (SD) age was 39.1 (9.7) years, 61.0% were female, and 45.1% were community health workers. The six-month follow-up rate was 93.5%. Seropositivity rates increased from 31% (95% CI: 27%, 35%) at baseline to 45% (95% CI: 40%, 49%) at 3-month follow-up, and 70% (95% CI: 66%, 74%) at 6-month follow-up. There was a corresponding increase in IgG levels from baseline (median = 0.18 ug/mL) to 3-month (median = 0.35 ug/mL) and 6-month follow-up (median = 0.59 ug/mL, Ptrend < .0001). A minority of participants reported symptoms from February 2020 until baseline (12.2%) or during 3-month (6.6%) or 6-month (7.5%) follow-up. only 1 participant was hospitalized. This study demonstrated high baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up prevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria among a cohort of unvaccinated frontline healthcare workers, including primary healthcare workers despite low symptomatology. These results may have implications in state- and national-level disease pandemic modeling. Trial registration: NCT04158154.

Stakeholder perspectives on Nigeria's national sodium reduction program: Lessons for implementation and scale-up.

To reduce excess dietary sodium consumption, Nigeria's 2019 National Multi-sectoral Action Plan (NMSAP) for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases includes policies based on the World Health Organization SHAKE package. Priority actions and strategies include mandatory sodium limits in processed foods, advertising restrictions, mass-media campaigns, school-based interventions, and improved front-of-package labeling. We conducted a formative qualitative evaluation of stakeholders' knowledge, and potential barriers as well as effective strategies to implement these NMSAP priority actions. From January 2021 to February 2021, key informant interviews (n = 23) and focus group discussions (n = 5) were conducted with regulators, food producers, consumers, food retailers and restaurant managers, academia, and healthcare workers in Nigeria. Building on RE-AIM and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we conducted directed content qualitative analysis to identify anticipated implementation outcomes, barriers, and facilitators to implementation of the NMSAP sodium reduction priority actions. Most stakeholders reported high appropriateness of the NMSAP because excess dietary sodium consumption is common in Nigeria and associated with high hypertension prevalence. Participants identified multiple barriers to adoption and acceptability of implementing the priority actions (e.g., poor population knowledge on the impact of excess salt intake on health, potential profit loss, resistance to change in taste) as well as facilitators to implementation (e.g., learning from favorable existing smoking reduction and advertising strategies). Key strategies to strengthen NMSAP implementation included consumer education, mandatory and improved front-of-package labeling, legislative initiatives to establish maximum sodium content limits in foods and ingredients, strengthening regulation and enforcement of food advertising restrictions, and integrating nutrition education into school curriculum. We found that implementation and scale-up of the Nigeria NMSAP priority actions are feasible and will require several implementation strategies ranging from community-focused education to strengthening current and planned regulation and enforcement, and improvement of front-of-package labeling quality, consistency, and use.

Demographic and Organisational Factors as Predictors of Retention Among Health Care Workers in South West Nigeria

Retention of healthcare workers in Nigerian healthcare facilities is a crucial issue in Nigeria, which has a deficiency of qualified medical personnel. In recent times, unlike ever witnessed before, the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in Nigeria are seriously threatened by low healthcare worker retention. The cause of low retention among healthcare workers in Nigeria is unknown, hence, a need to investigate the predictive influence of demographic and organizational factors on employee resilience among healthcare workers in Nigeria. A total of 798 healthcare workers (92 medical doctors, 401 nurses, 92 radiologists, 75 pharmacists, 134 MBBS, and Equivalent while 4 technicians) were purposively selected for the study. Outcomes revealed that gender (β = .26, t= 8.55, p&lt;.05), age (β = .22, t= 4.24, p&lt;.05), state of origin (β = .06, t= 2.09, p&lt;.05), marital status (β = .23, t= 7.17, p&lt;.05) and education (β =-.38, t= -11.24 p&lt;.05), job satisfaction (β = -.18, t= -2.95, p&lt;.05) and perceived organizational support (β = .22, t= 2.99 p&lt;.05) significantly predicted retention among healthcare workers. It was concluded that being female and unmarried, having negative/low job satisfaction, and perceiving positive/high organizational support predicted employee retention.

Personality Traits as Key Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria

Abstract Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant global challenge, necessitating the development and administration of vaccines to halt its spread. Nevertheless, there is limited information on the predictors, patterns, and personality variables influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Nigerian health-care workers (HCWs). Aim: The study set to assess level of factors including personality factors that influence acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines among.HCWs in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: From August 9 to October 11, 2021, a web-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted on 300 HCWs in Nigeria, aged 19 and above, with social media access and English language proficiency. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data on the SPSS version 20. Results: The findings revealed that while 64% of those who participated in the study received the first dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine, only 48.3% returned for the second dose. The impression of heightened susceptibility to contracting COVID-19 was the primary reason for vaccination uptake. Although education level was associated with vaccination uptake, it did not predict it independently. The age distribution, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and high vulnerability as a rationale for receiving a vaccine were all the independent predictors of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: This study reveals that despite their role as vaccination advocates, HCWs can exhibit hesitancy toward novel vaccines. To increase vaccine uptake among HCWs and the general population, it is crucial to recognise the factors that influence vaccine acceptance among them, including individual personality variables, and incorporate this understanding into vaccination promotion programs.

Preventing and Mitigating Inter-Professional Conflict Among Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria.

The primary obligation of healthcare professionals is the well-being of patients. Inter-professional conflict can prevent the achievement of this goal, thereby potentially putting patients in peril. This study aimed at articulating contextual strategies to mitigate and prevent inter-professional conflict among healthcare workers in Nigeria. A cross sectional study was undertaken in various health facilities in Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered to healthcare professionals. Completed questionnaires were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were undertaken. A total of 2207 valid responses were included for analysis. Findings revealed that almost all the respondents (92.9%) indicated that the Ministry of Health has a key role in resolving conflict in the healthcare sector. Close to three quarters (70.4%) of the study participants disagreed that leadership of hospitals and health agencies be limited to a particular profession. Almost all the participants (90.15%) indicated that cognate administrative expertise and experience are critical for leadership. A strong majority of the sample (93.5%) opined that reforms are required in the leadership selection process of hospital and other healthcare agencies. Due to the criticality of this issue to patients' access to healthcare, findings from this study can underpin a proactive evidence based strategy that can comprehensively address inter-professional conflict among healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Perceived Stress, Sexual and Marital Satisfaction among Married Healthcare Workers in Nigeria

Background: Marital and sexual satisfaction are essential for conjugal bliss and harmony. However, stress in the workplace can influence sexual and marital satisfaction of couples. There is dearth of information about level of sexual and marital satisfaction among healthcare workers in Nigeria, as well as the connections between stress, sexual and marital satisfaction among healthcare workers. Purpose: This study assessed inter-relationship between perceived stress, sexual and marital satisfaction among married healthcare workers.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach among 150 consented healthcare workers recruited using a simple random sampling technique. Instruments for data collection included the Perceived Stress Scale, Enrich Marital Satisfaction questionnaire and Pinney Sexual Satisfaction Inventory. The Pearson correlation was used to ascertain relationships and linear regression was done to predict influence of one variable on the other.Results: Perceived level of stress of the healthcare workers was low [16.9(0.001)] and mean sexual satisfaction (SS) was poor [78.93(23.68)]. Also, 49.3% were found to be the dissatisfied maritally. Perceived stress showed a positive correlation with marital satisfaction (MS) (r=0.48, p&lt;0.01). However, stress negatively correlated with participants’ SS with partners (r=-0.51, p&lt;0.01). Similarly, general SS positively correlated with MS (r=0.32, p&lt;0.01). Predictors of MS included perceived stress (β=0.614, p=0.01), age differences with spouse (β=0.30, p=0.01), number of children (β=-0.24, p=0.01), and family type (β=-0.21, p=0.05).Conclusion: Only half of the participants in this study are maritally satisfied. Marital satisfaction increases with sexual satisfaction. Stress is correlated with reduced sexual satisfaction of the participant, and as number of children increases, marital satisfaction reduces. Couples should be encouraged to give birth to moderate number of children to improve marital satisfaction.

Developing an mHealth Intervention to Reduce COVID-19-Associated Psychological Distress Among Health Care Workers in Nigeria: Protocol for a Design and Feasibility Study.

Globally, COVID-19-related psychological distress is seriously eroding health care workers' mental health and well-being, especially in low-income countries like Nigeria. The use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions is now increasingly recognized as an innovative approach that may improve mental health and well-being. This project aims to develop an mHealth psychological intervention (mPsyI) to reduce COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. Our objective is to present a study protocol to determine the level of COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria; explore health care workers' experience of COVID-19-related psychological distress; develop and pilot test mPsyI to reduce this distress; and assess the feasibility of this intervention (such as usability, engagement, and satisfaction). A mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods approach is used in which health care workers will be recruited from 2 tertiary health care facilities in southwest Nigeria. The study is divided into 4 phases based on the study objectives. Phase 1 involves a quantitative survey to assess the type and levels of psychosocial distress. Phase 2 collects qualitative data on psychosocial distress among health care workers. Phase 3 involves development of the mHealth-based psychological intervention, and phase 4 is a mixed methods study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. This study was funded in November 2020 by the Global Effort on COVID-19 Health Research, and collection of preliminary baseline data started in July 2021. This is the first study to report the development of an mHealth-based intervention to reduce COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. Using a mixed methods design in this study can potentially facilitate the adaptation of an evidence-based treatment method that is culturally sensitive and cost-effective for the management of COVID-19-related psychological distress among health care workers in Nigeria. DERR1-10.2196/36174.

Assessment of diagnostic accuracy and adherence to maternal and child health guidelines as a measure of clinical competence of frontline healthcare workers in Nigeria.

Clinical competence of primary healthcare (PHC) workers is important in the delivery of maternal and child health care and services. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the diagnostic accuracy and adherence to clinical guidelines for the management of some clinical conditions such as malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, neonatal asphyxia and postpartum hemorrhage, as a proxy to measure the clinical competence of frontline health workers in PHCs in selected states in Nigeria. Ninety PHC facilities were randomly selected in each State and the FCT. Of the 3330 health workers, only 36.0% were able to correctly diagnose the five selected medical conditions. There was a significant difference in the diagnostic accuracy of the health workers with the doctors having highest diagnostic accuracy (65.5%) compared to other health workers (p <0.001). Adherence to the management guidelines was generally poor across all cadres of health workers and this pattern appear similar across the geopolitical regions in the country. The highest adherence to guidelines was observed among medical doctors (38.2%). The diagnostic accuracy and adherence to national guidelines for managing patients was poor among health workers, particularly, among other cadres except doctors. PHC workers in Nigeria need continuous training to enhance their clinical competence to improve quality of maternal and child health care.

Basic Life Support Skills Training Among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A State-Wide Evaluation in the Niger-Delta Region

Basic Life Support Skills Training Among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A State-Wide Evaluation in the Niger-Delta Region

Practices and perception of healthcare workers towards infection control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional online survey from Nigeria.

This study investigated the practices and perceptions of Health care workers (HCWs) in Nigeria towards infection control practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Nigeria healthcare facilities using a 25-item validated online questionnaire. The hyperlink of the questionnaire was shared with the various professional associations/societies and hospitals in June 2020. A total of 426 HCWs completed the questionnaire with pharmacists (28.8%), nurses/midwives (22.7%) and medical doctors (20.1%) being the highest respondents. Less than 50% of the HCWs had previous training on COVID-19 and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Only one in five HCWs had access to adequate PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, the HCWs had good infection control practices with better practices observed among those who attended training on COVID-19 infection and those trained on how to use PPE. Lack of funds to purchase PPEs (55.3%), lack of access to PPE (52.5%) and lack of training on how to use PPE (44.0%) were the most common barriers to adherence to infection control guidelines. HCWs in Nigeria have limited access to adequate PPE and lack adequate support from health authorities. Attendance of training on the use of PPE and COVID-19 infection were associated with access to adequate PPE and better infection control practices. Training of HCWs, provision of adequate PPE, and support are recommended to improve compliance with infection control guidelines.

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are regarded as role models regarding health-related issues, including vaccination. Therefore, it is essential to identify the predictors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among them. A cross-sectional study to assess the risk perception, attitudes and knowledge of HCWs toward COVID-19 vaccination was carried out. A total of 710 responses were received between September 2021 and March 2022, from HCWs in the Northern, Western and Eastern regions of Nigeria. Cross tabulations were performed to determine statistical relations between sociodemographic variables, knowledge, attitudes and risk perceptions concerning COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive variables for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Statistical analyses were performed and P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant at a CI of 95%. Results showed that 59.3% of the participants were amenable to COVID-19 vaccines. Multinomial regression analysis identified 14 variables at α < 0.05 as predictors for vaccine acceptance. Male HCWs were 2.8 times more likely to accept the vaccine than their female counterparts. HCWs that were knowledgeable of the different kinds of vaccines, were willing to recommend the vaccines to their patients, believed that the timing of COVID-19 vaccination was appropriate and had recent vaccination history within three years were 1.6, 24.9, 4.4 and 3.1 times more likely to take COVID-19 vaccine than those not sure. The study found a relatively high trust (51.3%) in the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) for information regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, the NDCD should disseminate more robust insights regarding the safety profiles of various COVID-19 vaccines.

The gendered drivers of absenteeism in the Nigerian health system.

The ability to deliver primary care in Nigeria is undermined by chronic absenteeism, but an understanding of its drivers is needed if effective responses are to be developed. While there is a small but growing body of relevant research, the gendered dynamics of absenteeism remains largely unexplored. We apply a gendered perspective to understanding absenteeism and propose targeted strategies that appear likely to reduce it. We did so by means of a qualitative study that was part of a larger project examining corruption within the health system in six primary healthcare facilities across rural and urban regions in Enugu State, south-east Nigeria. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews with frontline health workers, healthcare managers and community members of the health facility committee. Six focus group discussions were held with male and female service users. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants described markedly gendered differences in the factors contributing to health worker absenteeism that were related to gender norms. Absence by female health workers was attributed to domestic and caregiving responsibilities, including housekeeping, childcare, cooking, washing and non-commercial farming used to support their families. Male health workers were most often absent to fulfil expectations related to their role as breadwinners, with dual practice and work in other sectors to generate additional income generation as their formal salaries were considered irregular and poor. Demands arising from socio-cultural and religious events affected the attendance of both male and female health workers. Both men and women were subject to sanctions, but managers and facility chairs were more lenient with women when absence was due to caregiving and other domestic responsibilities. In summary, gender roles influence absenteeism amongst primary healthcare workers in Nigeria and thus should be taken into account in developing nuanced responses that take account of the social, economic and cultural factors that underpin these roles.

Facilitators and barriers of healthcare workers’ recommendation of HPV vaccine for adolescents in Nigeria: views through the lens of theoretical domains framework

BackgroundThe human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of cervical cancer when given in early adolescence. The recommendation of the vaccine by health care workers (HCW) is crucial to the uptake of the vaccine by adolescents and the process of this recommendation is important as it determines subsequent uptake of the vaccine. Understanding of the facilitators and barriers of recommendation of this vaccine can help in the development of strategies to improve its recommendation rates and uptake. This study therefore explored the facilitators and barriers for the recommendation of HPV vaccine for adolescents by HCW in Ibadan, Nigeria using the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF).MethodsKey informant interviews were conducted with 14 purposively selected HCW who were in charge of vaccination. Content analysis was used after deductive coding of the data using the domains of the TDF. Relevant concepts for facilitators and barriers of HPV vaccine recommendation and quotes were then identified.ResultsMean age of the HCW was 47.7 ± 6.5 years and they consisted of eight nurses, four medical doctors, one medical social worker and one health visitor. Ten domains of the TDF were represented among the facilitators and barriers against the recommendation of HPV vaccination by the HCW, except the goals; memory, attention, decision process; emotion; and behavioral regulation domains. The domains with the highest frequency of concepts were: knowledge, skills, social/professional role and identity, beliefs about capabilities, beliefs about consequences, intention and environmental context and resources. Domains with conflicting statements in the concept were: environmental context and resources, and beliefs about consequences. While those with perceived strength of concept were: social influences, reinforcement and optimism.ConclusionAll the 10 identified domains of the TDF are potential areas of focus for strategies for improving the recommendation of HPV vaccine for adolescents by health care workers in Nigeria and other countries with similar sociocultural settings.

The acceptability and side effects of COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is global public health crisis. Mass vaccination, until herd immunity is achieved, is one of the most effective ways of combating the deadly infectious virus. The disposition of health workers towards the AstraZeneca vaccine will most likely determine if other members of the community will be willing to get vaccinated or not. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes of healthcare workers to the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as determine the various side effects experienced by those who have already been vaccinated. Method: Frequency tables were created, and Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, as well as their acceptance or rejection of the COVID-19 vaccine and attitude towards it. Using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.0, multinominal logistic regression was used to determine the key factors which influenced respondents’ decision to have the vaccine. Result: There was a statistically significant relationship between the cadre of health care workers, their tribe, and their involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients and their attitude towards the vaccine. Conclusion: Previous involvement in the care of COVID-19 patients is one of the most important determinants of health care workers' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Most respondents were positive about the vaccine; however, the fear of side effects was the primary reason why those who were yet to be vaccinated, do not plan to do so. The most common side effect reported by those who had already been vaccinated, was pain at the injection site. Public awareness of the vaccine and its benefits should be increased, and the vaccine should be made available in all health care facilities.

Knowledge of Basic Life Support among Doctors and Nurses Attending a Refresher Course in a Teaching Hospital in Southwest Nigeria.

Poor knowledge of Basic Life Support (BLS) can lead to hesitation in delivering prompt intervention, thus increasing mortality in people with cardiac arrest. We set out to determine level of knowledge of Basic Life Support among doctors and nurses working in a teaching hospital in Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires were employed in a descriptive, cross-sectional study to assess knowledge of doctors and nurses. The overall knowledge score and, separate scores for doctors and nurses were calculated. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Two hundred and fifty participants (18-59) years were evaluated. There were more females (153, 61.2%) and more nurses (149, 59.8%). Sixty (24%) of the participants had received at least one previous BLS training. One hundred and one (40.4%) participants scored ≥50%. The overall average score was 43.6%. The average score for doctors and nurses were 45.1% and 42.7% respectively. Knowledge in some domains were very low viz: sequence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (2.8%), compression-to-breath ratio (2.8%) and compression rate (32.3%). There was no significant difference in knowledge score by profession, gender, previous exposure to BLS training, number of years post-qualified and number of years in service. Healthcare workers in Nigeria have poor knowledge of BLS. They require training and re-training in BLS via creative and innovative means that are best suited for resource poor countries.

Uptake of Coronavirus Disease-2019 Vaccine Among Healthcare Workers in A Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Introduction: Vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been developed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Healthcare workers (HCWs) have an increased risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. In addition, they also have a powerful influence on patient vaccination decisions. Earlier surveys had reported the willingness of HCWs to receive the vaccine; however, the actual uptake of the vaccine has rarely been reported. This study aimed at determining the actual uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methodology: The study was a cross sectional descriptive study that analyzed the data generated by the vaccination team that was mandated to administer the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine to the HCWs at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). Results: Out of 1718 HCWs, 387(22.5%) received the vaccine, 63.8% of whom were males. Vaccine uptake was highest among pharmacists (52.9%) and doctors (42.4); while uptake was lowest among the laboratory scientist (9.6 %) and the cleaners (9.8%). Vaccine uptake was higher among those with higher educational attainment compared to those with lower educational attainment. Conclusions: The actual uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine among HCWs in Nigeria may be much lower than the potential uptake as reported in earlier surveys. The expression of willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine may be different from the actual acceptance of the vaccine. To understand the true magnitude of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in Nigeria, we recommend that the actual uptake of the vaccine be evaluated.

Workplace violence against health care workers in Nigeria

Background: Workers anywhere are exposed to assault at the workplace and the worst affected are service providers. Globally, the highest incidence occurs among health-care workers (HCWs) and it is a workplace hazard. Aim: This is a review article investigating the burden of violence against HCWs in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: To provide the evidence of violence against HCWs, a narrative review of pertinent papers on workplace violence (WPV) against HCWs in Nigeria was conducted using the databases PubMed, Ajol, and Google Scholar. We found that violence against HCWs is high in the health sector. It is further worsened by conflict situations and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses and physicians are the common victims. The most common perpetrators are companions of patients followed by the patients themselves. Worse still is that the victim/survivors may do little or nothing about it. Worse, there is no protocol in place to prevent recurrence, so victims/survivors may have little or no recourse. Conclusion: WPV occurs in health care. Therefore, there must be reporting systems in all Nigerian including protocols to prevent this menace.