EFFECTIVENESS OF TEACHERS IN THE DETECTION OF EYE DISORDERS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ABAKALIKI METROPOLIS, EBONYI STATE NIGERIA.

Background: Schoolteachers who have knowledge on eye diseases can detect early children with eye disorders and refer them promptly to an eye specialist. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of teachers in a vision screening program for primary school children in Abakaliki. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 20 randomly selected primary schoolteachers in Abakaliki to screen for vision abnormalities and detect eye problems among 350 children from 5 schools. Teachers participated in a 2-day training using a modified training algorithm on vision screening using a Snellen's chart and in the identification of common ocular abnormalities. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 26 statistical program and a p-value of <0.05 at 95% confidence level was statistically significant. Results: A total of 379 children were enrolled into the study however, 350 (92.3%) children participated in the study. School teachers correctly identified 283 (92.8%) children who had normal vision and 33(73.3%) who had impaired vision. Overall 60 (17.1%) children with perceived eye defects were referred to the ophthalmologist for re-examination. Refractive error and allergic conjunctivitis were the most common eye problems identified and children with refractive error and other ocular morbidity were referred to the base hospital. Conclusion: Teachers are a valuable resource in the detection of eye disorders among school children. Their effectiveness can be further enhanced by regular training, and collaboration with eye care professionals. Addressing these limitations through policy implementation can lead to better eye health outcomes for school children in Nigeria.

Risk Perception and Factors associated with Compliance to COVID-19 Preventive Measures among Commercial Drivers in Abakaliki Nigeria: An Imperative for Targeted Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Despite efforts to control COVID-19 pandemic, the outbreak has continued to ravage the world with high morbidity, mortality and economic hardship. The World Health Organisation reported that people are becoming complacent and their risk perceptions are lowering. Commercial drivers play significant role in outbreak control because of their regular mix with commuters from various sources. OBJECTIVES: We investigated risk perception and factors associated with compliance to COVID-19 preventive measures among commercial drivers. METHODS: This study involved 502 commercial drivers in Abakaliki Nigeria using cross-sectional analytic design. Data was collected with interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed with IBM-SPSS version 23. Inferential statistics were done using Chi-square and binary logistic regression tests with significance set at p-value of 0.05. RESULTS: The response rate was 502(98.4%) and mean age was 35.5±10.8 years. Majority of them were married 368(73.3%), had secondary education 279(55.6%) and operated commercial driving for 1-5 years 297(59.2%). There was high awareness, high-risk perception and good compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures in 99.8%, 69.1% and 54.4% of respondents respectively. Attaining tertiary education (aOR=6.5, 95% CI=1.5-28.1, p=0.012) and good knowledge of COVID-19 (aOR=4.3, 95% CI=2.7-6.8, p<0.001) significantly predicted high-risk perception while good knowledge of the disease alone predicted good compliance (aOR=5.5, 95% CI=3.6-8.3; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The awareness of COVID-19 is high but there is relatively lower risk perception and compliance with the preventive measures. We recommend improved public education, sensitization and risk communication as well as review of policies and adoption of new approaches about COVID-19 outbreak control.

CONTEXTE: Malgré les efforts déployés pour contrôler la pandémie de COVID-19, l'épidémie a continué de ravager le monde avec une morbidité, une mortalité et des difficultés économiques élevées. L'Organisation mondiale de la santé a signalé que les gens deviennent complaisants et que leur perception des risques diminue. Les chauffeurs commerciaux jouent un rôle important dans le contrôle des épidémies en raison de leur mélange régulier avec des navetteurs de diverses sources. OBJECTIFS: Nous avons étudié la perception du risque et les facteurs associés à la conformité aux mesures préventives COVID-19 chez les conducteurs commerciaux. METHODES: Cette étude a porté sur 502 chauffeurs commerciaux à Abakaliki au Nigeria en utilisant une conception analytique transversale. Les données ont été collectées à l'aide d'un questionnaire administré par l'intervieweur et analysées avec IBM-SPSS version 23. Les statistiques inférentielles ont été effectuées à l'aide de tests de régression logistique du chi carré et binaire avec une signification statistique définie à une valeur p de 0,05. RESULTATS: Le taux de réponse était de 502 (98,4 %) et l'âge moyen était de 35,5 ± 10,8 ans. La majorité d'entre eux étaient mariés 368 (73,3 %), avaient fait des études secondaires 279 (55,6 %) et avaient conduit pendant 1 à 5 ans 297 (59,2 %). Il y avait une sensibilisation élevée, une perception à haut risque et une bonne conformité aux mesures préventives COVID-19 chez 99,8 %, 69,1 % et 54,4 % des répondants respectivement. L'obtention d'un diplôme de l'enseignement supérieur (aOR=6.5, 95 % IC=1.5-28.1, p=0.012) et une bonne connaissance du COVID-19 (aOR=4.3, 95 % IC=2.7-6.8, p<0,001) prédisaient de manière significative la perception du risque élevé alors qu'une bonne connaissance de la maladie seule prédisait une bonne observance (aOR=5,5, IC à 95 %=3,6-8,3 ; p<0,001). CONCLUSION: La sensibilisation au COVID-19 est élevée, mais la perception des risques et le respect des mesures préventives sont relativement plus faibles. Nous recommandons d'améliorer l'éducation, la sensibilisation et la communication sur les risques du public, ainsi que l'examen des politiques et l'adoption de nouvelles approches concernant le contrôle de l'épidémie de COVID-19. MOTS CLÉS: chauffeurs commerciaux, perception des risques, COVID-19, conformité, mesures préventives.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of infection prevention and control among healthcare workers: one year after an outbreak of nosocomial Lassa fever in a tertiary hospital in southeast Nigeria

Background: With the rise in cases of Lassa fever in recent times in West Africa, the healthcare setting continues to pose significant risk especially among healthcare workers (HCWs) for diseases like Lassa fever that are transmitted via contact with blood and other body fluids. We therefore assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of infection prevention and control (IPC) one year after an outbreak of nosocomial transmission of Lassa fever in the study hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of HCWs was conducted in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, a tertiary hospital designated for Lassa fever treatment in southeast Nigeria. A total of 631 HCWs selected by systematic random sampling were surveyed using self-administered questionnaire to determine the KAP of IPC. Data analysis was done with EPI INFO version 7.2 and Microsoft Excel 2016, and Chi square statistic was used to examine relationship between variables at 5% level of significance. Results: Only 287 (51.1%) of the 562 respondent HCWs had good knowledge of IPC, 442 (78.6%) had good attitude towards IPC, and 268 (47.7%) had good practice of IPC. Socio-demographic predictors of IPC knowledge included being a medical laboratory scientist (AOR=0.5; 95% CI=0.29-0.83; p=0.009), tertiary education level (AOR=7.0; 95% CI=1.11-44.60; p=0.038), and work experience of ≥ 7 years (AOR=2.3; 95% CI=1.47-3.57; p<0.001). Male gender (AOR=1.9; 95% CI=1.06-3.42; p=0.031), nurse professional (AOR=6.5; 95% CI=2.67-15.81; p<0.001) and work experience of ≥ 7 years (AOR=2.5; 95% CI=1.37-4.54; p=0.003) were predictors of good attitude towards IPC. Also, nurse professional (AOR=3.1; 95% CI=1.79-5.20; p<0.001) and married status (AOR=1.6; 95% CI=1.05-2.55; p=0.028) were predictors of good practice of IPC among the respondents. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that knowledge and practice of IPC was low in the study location despite the interventions that had been instituted to improve the IPC framework. Therefore, there is need to adapt approaches that will influence behavior change towards IPC in the course of the in-service trainings being conducted in the hospital.