Radiographers' knowledge, attitude and adherence to standard COVID-19 precautions and the policy implications: a national cross-sectional study in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the knowledge of COVID-19 pathogenesis and prevention, attitude, and adherence to safe clinical practices among radiographers during the pandemic and made some informed policy recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was an online cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire captured data on respondents' demographics, knowledge of COVID-19, attitudes, practices, and standard precaution adherence during the pandemic. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation and one-way ANOVA tests. RESULTS: Of the 255 respondents, 17.3% were actively involved in the management of COVID-19 cases. Participants had high scores regarding their knowledge of COVID-19 pathology (82.46 ± 8.67%), prevention (93.43 ± 7.11%) and attitude (74.11 ± 11.61%), but low compliance to safety precautions (56.08 ± 18.56%). Knowledge about COVID-19 prevention strategies differed significantly across educational qualifications, F(3, 251) = 4.62, p = .004. Similarly, levels of compliance with safety precautions differed across educational qualification (F[3, 251] = 4.53, p = .004) and years-in-practice (F[4, 250] = 4.17, p = .003). CONCLUSION: Participants' adherence to standard COVID-19 precautions was low. The level of professional qualification influenced participants' knowledge and safe practices during the pandemic. Upgrading the aseptic techniques and amenities in practice settings and broadening the infectious diseases modules in the entry-level and continuous professional education may improve radiographers' response to COVID-19 and future pandemics.Key messagesRadiographers whose qualifications were lower than a bachelor's degree had significantly less knowledge of COVID-19 prevention.Generally, radiographers had a positive attitude towards safe practices during the pandemic, but inadequate education, standard operational guidelines and resources affected their level of adherence.Apart from the shortage of personal protective equipment, poor infrastructural design and inadequate hygienic facilities such as handwashing stations, running water and non-contact hand sanitizer dispensers hampered adherence to COVID-19 precautions in low-resource settings.

The Crisis of Sickle Cell Disease in Africa from Insights into Primary Prevention in Ghana and Nigeria: Notes from the Field.

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder, impacts 2% of newborns in Nigeria and Ghana. Despite devastating health consequences, SCD prevention is not a priority in either country. This article describes our U.S. research team's feasibility assessment for adapting CHOICES, a computer-based SCD education program, for use in Ghana and Nigeria. We identified indigenous collaborators by reviewing published research and investigating advocacy organizations online. This led to a fact-finding trip to Africa to discuss SCD prevention with local boards of advisors. Three major recommendations emerged from the group discussions: design a culturally appropriate intervention; enlist community healthcare workers to deliver the CHOICES program; and collaborate with religious and community leaders and elders in public awareness campaigns. Based on extensive advisor input, we will modify the content and delivery of the CHOICES intervention to meet the needs of those impacted by SCD in Ghana and Nigeria.

Translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric testing of Igbo fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire in mixed rural and urban Nigerian populations with chronic low back pain.

INTRODUCTION: Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent in Nigeria and is more devastating in rural Nigeria due to adverse living and working conditions, reinforced by maladaptive illness beliefs. There is a need to develop measures for assessing such beliefs in this population. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) and test its psychometric properties in mixed rural and urban Nigerian populations with chronic LBP. METHODS: Translation, cultural adaptation, test-retest, and cross-sectional psychometric testing. FABQ was forward and back translated by clinical/non-clinical translators. A review committee evaluated the translations. Twelve people with chronic LBP in a rural Nigerian community pre-tested the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha assessing internal consistency; intra-class correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots assessing test-retest reliability; and minimal detectable change were investigated in a convenient sample of 50 chronic low back pain sufferers in rural and urban Nigeria. Construct validity was examined using Pearson's correlation analyses with the eleven-point box scale and Igbo Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (Igbo-RMDQ), and exploratory factor analysis in a random sample of 200 adults with chronic low back pain in rural Nigeria. Ceiling and floor effects were investigated in all samples. RESULTS: Amendments allowed interviewer-administration. Item 8 was modified to 'I have a compensation or gains I get from having my pain' as there is no benefit system in Nigeria. Igbo phrase for 'physical activity' could also mean 'being active', 'moving the body' or 'moving about' and was used in the items with 'physical activity'. The Igbo-FABQ had good internal consistency (α = 0.80-0.86); intra class correlation coefficients (ICC = 0.71-0.72); standard error of measurements (3.21-7.40) and minimal detectable change (8.90-20.51). It correlated moderately with pain intensity and disability, with a two-factor structure and no floor and ceiling effects. CONCLUSIONS: Igbo-FABQ is valid, reliable, and can be used clinically and for research.