Nigeria vaccine policy

Vaccines are recognised globally for their importance in the reduction of vaccines preventable diseases to improve the quality of life of the entire population. The importance of vaccines has been further demonstrated with the COVID-19 outbreak with countries scrambling to produce vaccines to combat the effect of the pandemic amongst their citizens. The purpose of this Vaccine Policy is to address the goal and objectives of achieving availability, self-sufficiency and vaccine security in the country. It is hoped that the development of this Policy will complement the already existing Immunisation Policy and provide the platform for the amelioration of vaccine-preventable diseases in Nigeria. Highlights of the Policy include: its vision, mission, goal, objectives, targets and implementation strategies for achieving local vaccines production and ownership of the vaccines supply chain management processes towards vaccine availability and security in the country. To achieve these, the Policy needs to be implemented and monitored hence the Policy provides for the establishment of appropriate governing structures to oversee the implementation process. The governing council and its various structures will pursue the achievement of the goal and objectives of the Policy. They will mobilise resources from the governments across all levels, individuals, the international communities, donor agencies. Other critical areas include the resuscitation of local production of vaccines, intensification of research and development and strengthening of the legislature and regulatory agencies to support the quality and safety of vaccines in Nigeria. It is recommended that all stakeholders responsible for implementing this policy should work collaboratively to ensure the goal and objectives are met

Factors affecting patient safety: a qualitative content analysis

Background: Patient safety is one of the main components of good-quality health services. The main objective of this study is to explore the most effective factors relating to patient safety in Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was done using content analysis. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Through purposive sampling, 14 participants were selected by experts who were familiar with the patient safety friendly hospital program. Interviews were recorded and then analyzed by framework analysis using MAXQDA software. Results: Of 2,474 initial codes, 10 main themes and 53 sub-themes were identified, including importance of human resources; organization and management; interactions and teamwork; medication; equipment and physical environment; patient-related factors; patient safety and quality improvement; the importance of documentation; assessment and monitoring; medical errors; barriers and challenges. Conclusion: Factors affecting patient safety can be divided into two groups: facilitators and barriers. Hospitals can improve the implementation of patient safety standards, reduce the adverse events and enhance patient safety by strengthening facilitating factors, such as providing human resources, adequate medical equipment and facilities, increasing employee participation in quality improvement programs, improving staff training, communicating with patients and their families, and addressing the existing challenges and barriers

The safety of image-guided biopsy and its impact on patient care: the first Ethiopian experience

Background: The introduction of image-guided biopsy has revolutionized the quality of patient care by avoiding open and complications associated with it and the use anesthesia. Even though Ethiopian radiological training dates back to more than two decades, interventional radiology is a very recent introduction. This study reports the safety and significance of image guided biopsy on patient care.Patients and methods: This study was a prospective study carried out to assess the impact and safety of doing image-guided biopsy in a tertiary care teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Results: A total of 117 patients, their age ranging from 3 to 80years and a mean age of 41 were evaluated; 6.8% of them were children below the age of 10. Around two-thirds of the cases had intra-abdominal indications for biopsy followed by mediastinal pathologies. Ultrasound was used as a guide in about 85% of the cases. Except for one case that developed massive hemoptysis following fine needle aspiration of a middle mediastinal mass and treated conservatively, there was no major complication. A few minor complications, like mild pain and minor hemorrhage, required only close observation.Conclusion: On the whole, our study indicates that image-guide biopsy improves the existing medical care.Moreover, institutions particularly those providing training in radiology should promote the establishment of interventional radiology for better patient diagnosis and improved planning of subsequent treatment

Occupational hazards encountered by library personnel in universities in south-south, Nigeria

Occupational hazards affect personnel safety and health in the work environment. This study investigated the occupational hazards encountered among library personnel in two universities in South South Nigeria; Delta State University, Abraka and Niger Delta University, Ammasoma. 182 library personnel participated in the study. Simple percentages and mean were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used in analysing the hypotheses. Findings revealed that library personnel encounter occupational hazards in the process of performing their duties. There was no significant difference in report of occupational hazards encountered by male and female library personnel in the process of performing their duties. It was recommended that library personnel should be adequately remunerated because they encounter occupational hazards when rendering information services to members of the university community for teaching, learning and research work. Key Words: Occupational Hazards, Library Personnel, University Libraries, Occupational Safety.

Vaccine Safety and Pharmacovigilance in the African Region

In recent years the WHO African Region has seen a growth in clinical development of new vaccines as well as their introduction into the national immunization programmes of many countries. Recognizing the critical need for vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance; WHO has been supporting individual and institutional capacity building in the Region to strengthen the monitoring and response to adverse events following immunization through implementation of the Global Vaccine Safety Blueprint. This framework is discussed along with general points about the importance of ensuring vaccine safety and the system needed to enable this. The article ends with a brief overview of the status of vaccine safety and pharmacovigilance and the key priorities for countries in the Region for the immediate future

Occupational health and safety management systems - a review of practices in enterprises in Botswana

Unsafe working conditions create heavy burdens in workplaces and on the wellbeing of workers. Despite this; Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) to reduce accidents and diseases in workplaces remain inadequate in many countries; including Botswana. An exploratory cross-sectional study; using secondary data; was undertaken to establish OHSMS practices in various industrial sectors in Botswana. The results showed that a quarter (27.6) and about half of small and medium enterprises (SMEs); respectively; and just over half (60) of large enterprises; have existing OHSMS. Only 29.2 of enterprises had an OHS policy statement. The elements of OHSMS were not uniformly implemented across all enterprises; with SMEs faring poorly. However; 71.1 of enterprises reported provision of induction courses. OHSMS is not widely practiced in Botswana; raising concerns for worker wellbeing; particularly in SMEs. Further research is needed to identify gaps and the development of a coherent OHSMS for the country

Safety and Tolerability of Yellow Fever Vaccines

Yellow fever is a non-contagious viral haemorrhagic fever with an estimated 200 000 cases annually and a high fatality rate. Yellow fever vaccination is one of the main methods of primary prevention. Although yellow fever vaccines are largely considered to be safe adverse events which are sometimes life threatening can occur. This article reviews the safety and the tolerability of yellow fever vaccines

An Observational Study of Road Safety around Selected Primary Schools in Ibadan Municipality; Oyo State; Southwestern Nigeria

"Background/ Objective: Child pedestrians have been identified as vulnerable road users. Although walking as a means of transport has health and other benefits; it exposes children to the risk of road traffic injuries. This study was conducted to assess the availability of road safety features around government-owned primary schools in Ibadan municipality. Materials and Methods: A multistage sampling technique was used to select 46 of the 74 schools in the study area. Some (11) of the selected schools were sited within the same premises and shared a common entrance; thus a total of 35 school premises were eventually observed. Trained research assistants observed the school environment around the selected schools for road safety features such as location of schools; presence of ""school""; ""child crossing"" and ""speed limit"" road signs; and presence of traffic calming devices (road bumps or zebra crossing). Results: Five (14) of the schools were located on major roads and eight (23) had road signs indicating that a school was nearby. Seven (20) had road bumps close to the school; 15 (43) had a warden who assisted children to cross; and none had a zebra crossing. Five (14) schools had pedestrian sidewalks. Conclusions: The study revealed that the environment around a number of the observed schools in the municipality compromised the pupils' road safety. The local government; school authorities; parents; and road safety professionals need to institute definite measures to enhance the road safety environment around schools in the municipality."

Laparoscopic Myomectomy for Infertile Patients with Intramural Fibroids: a Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Endoscopic Centre

Background: The safety of laparoscopic myomectomy has been questioned especially in the case of intramural fibroids. Objectives: To assess the safety of a laparoscopic myomectomy for intramural fibroids and study the subsequent effect on fertility Methods and Settings: A retrospective study of a tertiary endoscopic centre specialising in laparoscopic myomectomy. Results: 87 Patients were studied and there were no major complications. The conversion rate from laparoscopy to laparotomy was 3/87 (3.4) due to multiple fibroids. There was one case of uterine perforation during hysteroscopy. The overall pregnancy rate was 29/64 (45) with a spontaneous pregnancy rate of 18/29 (62). Conclusions: Laparoscopic myomectomy can be regarded as a safe alternative to abdominal myomectomy in the hands of the experienced surgeon resulting in good subsequent pregnancy rates

Safety; Efficacy and Acceptability of Implanon a Single Rod Implantable Contraceptive (Etonogestrel) in University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Objective: The study evaluated the safety, efficacy and acceptability of Implanon (etonogestrel) subdermal implant contraceptive amongst its acceptors. Study Design: This was part of an on going prospective longitudinal study that involved 32 women out of 46sexually active healthy informed volunteers recruited from our family planning clinic between February and March 2007. All the subjects received the single rod subdermal implant Implanon which contains 68mg etonogestrel. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, menstrual pattern, haematological indices, weight,blood pressure, side effects and user's satisfaction were collected and analysed. The subjects served as theirown control.Results: The mean age and parity were 33.9 ± 5.2 years and 3.1 ± 1.7 respectively. The mean weight was 71.4 ± 12.0kg at pre-insertion. At 6 months the weight reduced to a non significant (p < 0.13) mean value of 70.0 ± 10.5kg and increased to a non significant (p < 0.88) mean value of 71.5 ± 11.6kg at 12 months. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not show statistical significant changes at 6 months follow up(p<0.17/0.64). However at 12 months there were significant but within normal reductions (p < 0.003/0.05) in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The side effects were menstrual abnormalities. Eighteen (56.3%), 1 (3.1%) and 13 (40.6%) reported reduced, increased and combinations of bleeding patterns respectively. No participant had normal cycle. Other experiences were headache, 4 (12.5%) and reduced libido 3 (9.4%). The mean packed and white blood cell concentrations did not show statistical significant changes at 6 and 12 months follow up. At 12 months there was statistical significant increase (p<0.04) in the mean ± SD platelet count (205312.5 ± 75694.8per ul) when compared with the pre-insertion mean value (176343.8 ±52945.3perul). One acceptor had thrombocytopenia without any untoward effect.Two subjects discontinued method on account of menorrhagia and headache. The efficacy and continuation rate were 100% and 93.8% respectively. All the clients received adequate information about the method and most of them were satisfied with it at follow up.Conclusion: Implanon was an effective, safe and acceptable method of contraception amongst its acceptors.Menstrual abnormalities were the major side effects which most of the subjects found tolerable with adequate counseling. The reduced platelet concentration of the one acceptor would require follow up to ascertain the trend

Experience in the Use of Epidural Anaesthesia

Background: Epidural anaesthesia is applicable for a wide range of surgical procedures and offers distinct advantages over general and spinal anaesthesia. It is however underutilised in our environment. We report a one year experience in the use of this technique. Our objective is to describe a one year experience in the use of epidural anaesthesia with emphasis on the scope and safety in our institution. Method: A retrospective study of all patients that had epidural anaesthesia over a one year period for different procedures. Case notes and anaesthetic records were studied and analysed using EPI info 3.2.1. software. Results: Thirty two patients had epidural anaesthesia over the period. Majority (18cases) were caesarean sections (56.3). There were 9 general surgical cases (28.1); four gynaecologic (12.0) and one orthopaedic (3.1) cases. Of the five complications observed (15.6); only two could be traced to the technique of anaesthesia and the lone mortality (3.1) was unconnected. Conclusion: We conclude that epidural anaesthesia is applicable to a wide range of procedures within and across disciplines in our practice and is both easy to performand safe