ABSTRACT
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) especially those involved in patients’ care are at high risk of violence. The study is aimed at determining factors and characteristics of physical violence among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 412 HCWs from March to July, 2018. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi InfoTM 3.5.4 and Chi square and Fischer’s exact test where applicable were used to ascertain factors associated with physical workplace violence.Results: Respondents included 111 (26.9%) doctors and 301 (73.1%) nurses. Prevalence of physical violence was 12.6%. Of those who experienced workplace violence, the perpetrators were mainly patients’ relatives 37 (71.2%) and patients 8 (15.4%). In majority of cases, 28 (53.8%), no action was taken against the assailant. Prevalence of physical violence was significantly higher among nurses (15.3%) than doctors (5.4%) p=0.007. It is also higher among females (14.2%) than males (7.8%), although not significantly. Furthermore, HCWs who work in newborn units were most likely to experience physical violence.Conclusions: The study revealed that physical violence is prevalent among HCWs and violence prevention programs should be instituted to address it.
ABSTRACT
Objective/Background: Tuberculosis [TB] is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Passive case detection in national TB programmes is associated with low case notification, especially in children. This study was undertaken to improve detection of childhood TB in resource-poor settings through intensified case-finding strategies
Methods: A community-based intervention was carried out in six states in Nigeria. The creation of TB awareness was undertaken, and work aids, guidelines, and diagnostic charts were produced, distributed, and used. Various cadres of health workers and ad hoc project staff were trained. Child contacts with TB patients were screened in their homes, and children presenting at various hospital units were screened for TB. Baseline and intervention data were collected for evaluation populations and control populations
Results: Detection of childhood TB increased in the evaluation population during the intervention, with a mean quarterly increase of 4.0% [new smear positive [NSP], although the increasing trend was not statistically significant [chi[2] = 1.8; p <.179]]. Additionally, there was a mean quarterly increase of 3% for all forms of TB, although the trend was not statistically significant [chi[2] = 1.48; p <.224]. Conversely, there was a decrease in case notification in the control population, with a mean decline of 3% [all forms]. Compared to the baseline, there was an increase of 31% [all forms] and 22% [NSP] in the evaluation population
Conclusion: Intensified case finding combined with capacity building, provision of work aids/guidelines, and TB health education can improve childhood-TB notification