Risk Perception amongst Petrol Pump Attendants and Analysis of Indiscriminate Siting of Petrol Stations in Enugu Metropolis.

Proliferation and unregulated siting of petrol stations expose petrol pump attendants to occupational hazards. This study assessed knowledge, risk perception, occupational hazards of petrol pump attendants and site-suitability of petrol stations in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional analytical study of 210 pump attendants from 105 petrol stations spread within the city and highways. A structured pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and a check-list were used to collect data. Analyses were done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean age of the respondents was 23.55 ± 5.43 with 65.7% being females, three-quarters (75%) had good knowledge, while 64.3% had poor risk perception of occupational hazards. The commonest hazards reported were fuel inhalation (81.0%) (always) and fuel splashes (81.4%) (sometimes). About half (46.7%) of the respondents used protective equipment. Most of petrol stations had functional fire extinguishers (99.0%) and sand buckets (98.1%) while 36.2% had muster points. Forty percent and 76.2% of petrol stations had inadequate residential and road setbacks respectively with private petrol stations and those on streets leading. Poor risk perception of hazards and indiscriminate siting of the petrol stations exposed petrol pump attendants to hazards. Adequate regulation and enforcement of petrol station operating guidelines with regular safety and health training is necessary.

La prolifération et l'implantation non réglementée des stations-service se poursuivent, exposant les pompistes à des risques professionnels. Cette étude a évalué les connaissances, la perception des risques, les risques professionnels des pompistes et l'adéquation des sites des stations-service dans la métropole d'Enugu, au Nigeria. Il s'agit d'une étude analytique transversale portant sur 210 pompistes de 105 stations-service réparties dans la ville et sur les routes. Un questionnaire structuré, pré-testé, administré par un enquêteur et une liste de contrôle ont été utilisés pour collecter les données. Les analyses ont été effectuées à l'aide de statistiques descriptives et inférentielles. L'âge moyen des personnes interrogées était de 23,55 ± 5,43 ans, 65,7 % étant des femmes, les trois quarts (75 %) avaient une bonne connaissance des risques professionnels, tandis que 64,3 % avaient une mauvaise perception des risques. Les risques les plus fréquemment signalés étaient l'inhalation de carburant (81,0 %) (toujours) et les éclaboussures de carburant (81,4 %) (parfois). Environ la moitié (46,7 %) des personnes interrogées utilisaient des équipements de protection. La plupart des stations-service disposaient d'extincteurs fonctionnels (99,0%), de seaux à sable (98,1%) et 36,2% de points de rassemblement. Quarante pour cent et 76,2 % des stations-service n'avaient pas de marge de recul suffisante par rapport aux habitations et aux routes, les stations-service privées et celles situées dans les rues étant en tête. La mauvaise perception des risques et l'emplacement des stationsservice exposent les pompistes à des dangers. Une réglementation adéquate et l'application des directives d'exploitation des stationsservice, ainsi que des formations régulières en matière de sécurité et de santé, sont nécessaires. Mots clés: Risques professionnels, Pompistes, Stations-service, Adéquation du site.

Prevalence of psychological workplace violence among employees of a public tertiary health facility in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Psychological violence is the most common form of workplace violence (WPV) that can affect job performance and health of the workers. AIMS: This study sought to determine the prevalence of psychological WPV among employees working in a tertiary health institution in a South-eastern state of Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study done in 2018 among healthcare workers at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu State using a pretested self-administered questionnaire adapted from Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study Questionnaire. Proportionate sampling method was used to select 412 respondents. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using Chi-square test of significance and P value set at 0.05. RESULTS: Prevalence of psychological violence among the participants was 49.7%. Verbal abuse was the most form of psychological violence experienced 168 (40.8%) followed by bullying 29 (7.0%) while sexual abuse was reported by 8 (1.9%). Majority 114 (55.6%) of the perpetrators of the psychological violence were patient's relative, whereas 48 (23.4%) were staff members. In response to the violence, 58 (28.6%) of the healthcare workers took no action, while only 2 (1%) completed incident/accident form. Bullying was statistically significantly higher in healthcare workers who have spent less than 10 years (χ2 = 3.978 P = 0.046). There was a significant association between verbal abuse and frequent interaction with patients (χ2 = 4.757, P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the prevalence of psychological WPV was high among healthcare workers in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. Therefore, there is need for the hospital management to develop policy interventions specific to psychological WPV.

Parental Verbal Communication and Sexual Knowledge of Senior Secondary School Students in South East, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Parental verbal communication may influence the sexual knowledge of senior secondary school students in Enugu State, Nigeria. METHODS: This study utilized a school based cross-sectional study design and was conducted across the six education zones of Enugu State using three-stage sampling technique. A total of 400 respondents completed the interviewer administered questionnaires on their socio-demographics, sexual knowledge and parents' information on verbal communication skills. Obtainable knowledge scores for sexuality ranged between 0-10; scores of 1-5 were classified as poor and 6-10 as good. Data analysis for the quantitative data was done using IBM SPSS; version 22. Chi square test of statistical significance and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression were used in the analysis, and the level of significance was set at a p value of less than 0.05. RESULTS: Out of the 400 respondents, 55.5% were girls. The mean age (SD) of the respondents was 15.9 ± 1.3 years. Although 15.5% and 8.8% of the respondents were very comfortable discussing sexually related matters with their mothers and fathers only 34.8% and 16.0% of mothers and fathers were comfortable discussing such matters with the respondents. Less than half of the respondents (42.5%) had good sexual knowledge. Verbal sexual communication between parents and respondents and age above 16 years were found to be predictors of good sexual knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Poor parental verbal communication led to the poor knowledge of sexuality among the respondents. Parents should be encouraged to discuss sexuality matters with their children.

Knowledge and Practice of Standard Precautions by Health-Care Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution in Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Standard precautions (SPs) are crucial in protecting both health-care workers (HCWs) and patients from nosocomial infections. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of SP among HCWs in tertiary health-care facilities. METHODS:: This descriptive study was done in October 2014 among 629 HCWs at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State. A pretested questionnaire was used and analysis done using SPSS version 13. RESULTS: The HCWs studied were 629, mostly females (64.4%), married (62.3%), Christians (94%), and within 20-59 years. Majority were nurses (46.1%) working in the wards. Over 90% of respondents had heard of SP, mainly from formal training (62%). Over 70% could define SP, 74.6% had knowledge of when SP is needed and> 70% identified most components of SP. Over 90% agreed that SPs are useful and that employers should provide SP training. Most respondents washed hands after removal of gloves (73.6%) and before leaving patient's care area (33.1%). More than 70% had been exposed to patient's body fluids and washed the exposed part with water, soap, and disinfectant (52.1%). Gloves were the most commonly used personal protective equipment (PPE) (53.4%) and the major reason for inconsistent use was irregular access (57.7%). Over 50% recap needles before discarding. Exposure to patients' serum was significantly higher among doctors and nurses P < 0.05, while the use of PPEs was highest among the laboratory scientists (82.4%). Those who were trained on SP (70.8%) and PPE (69.7) were significantly more likely to use PPEs, P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: SP training and regular provision of PPEs are vital in compliance to SP.

Health education: Effect on knowledge and practice of workplace personal hygiene and protective measures among woodworkers in Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing incidence of occupational diseases among woodworkers due to exposure to preventable hazards in the workplace. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of health education on the knowledge and practice of workplace hygiene and protective measures among woodworkers in Enugu timber market. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a before and after study conducted among 290 woodworkers using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire and manual on workplace hazards prevention. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 and P-value of 0.05 was set as the significance level. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety respondents participated in the study; 282 (97.2%) were males, most completed secondary education and had worked for less than 10 years (71% and 58.3%, respectively). The mean knowledge score of participants pre- and postintervention were 89.5% ± 9.03 and 98.5% ± 1.84, respectively (P < 0.001). Educational status had effect on knowledge of participants (P < 0.001), whereas work experience had no effect (P = 0.285). Preintervention, 37.9% of the participants used protective materials regularly, which increased to 65.8% post intervention (P < 0.001). Personal hygiene practices showed mixed responses most of which improved post intervention. The most common reason for eating in workplace was excessive workload (60.3%), while lack of PPEs (29.3%) and lack of training (23.8%) were the most common reasons for nonuse of PPEs. CONCLUSION: Majority of the participants had good knowledge of workplace hygiene but had poor use of PPEs. Health education intervention improved the use of PPEs and should be recommended.

Assessment of Workplace Stigma and Discrimination among People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending Antiretroviral Clinics in Health Institutions in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The onset of HIV/AIDS has increased stigma and discrimination at workplaces, making those with these ailments worried about going to work to avoid being victimized. Most previous works focussed on stigma and discrimination in the communities with little emphasis on what occurs in the workplaces. This study assessed the prevalence of workplace stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending antiretroviral (ARV) clinics in health institutions in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done between February and May of 2014 using a selfadministered questionnaire to assess 489 PLWHA attending ARV clinics. RESULTS: Out of 489 studied, 255 (52.1%) were females. About 23.7% said being HIV positive had affected their relationship with other workers and 20.7% were blamed for their condition. Some were not given time off to go to hospital (72.5%). The commonest fears of PLWHA were stigmatization/discrimination from other workers (78.1%) and dying from the disease (62.8%). Gender did not significantly affect the way PLWHA were stigmatized or discriminated against in their workplaces. However, those who were employed in private establishments were more likely to have their schedule changed due to their status compared to government employees (p < 0.01). Other discriminating practices were not significantly different between government and private employees. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of stigma and discrimination in workplaces is high. Efforts should be made by agencies to reduce such social problems in the workplace since they can affect overall management and productivity.

Audit of Childbirth Emergency Referrals by Trained Traditional Birth Attendants in Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The essence of training traditional birth attendants (TBAs) is to attend to women in uncomplicated labor and to refer them immediately to hospitals when complications develop. AIM: The aim was to audit childbirth emergency referrals by trained TBAs to a specialist hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 205 childbirth emergencies referred to Semino Hospital and Maternity (SHM), Enugu by trained TBAs from August 1, 2011 to January 31, 2014. Data analysis was descriptive and inferential at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Most of the patients (185/205, 90.2%) were married and (100/205, 48.8%) had earlier booked for antenatal care in formal health facilities. There were obstetric danger signs or previous bad obstetric histories (pregnancies with unfavorable outcome) in 110 (110/205, 53.7%) women on admission at SHM. One hundred and fifteen (115/205, 56.1%) women walked into the hospital by themselves while 50 (50/205, 24.39%) could not walk. The fetal heart sounds were normal in 94 (94/205, 45.6%), abnormal in 65 (65/205, 31.8%) and absent in 42 (42/205, 20.4%) of the women on admission. Five healthy babies were delivered by the TBAs before referring their mothers. Delays of more than 12 h had occurred in 155 (155/205, 76.6%) of the women before referrals. Prolonged labor (100/205, 48.8%), obstructed labor (40/205, 19.5%), attempted vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery (40/205, 19.5%) and malpresentation (30/205, 14.6%) were the common indications for referrals. The maternal mortality and perinatal mortality ratios were 610/100,000 live births and 228/1000 total births respectively. CONCLUSION: Delays at TBA centers are common before referral and most patients are referred in poor clinical state. Further training and re-training of the TBAs with more emphasis on recognition of obstetric danger signs and bad obstetric histories may help in screening high-risk patients for prompt referral to hospitals before complications develop.

Assessment of knowledge and factors that may predict willingness to volunteerism: a pilot study of community-directed distributors in Anambra state.

BACKGROUND: Malaria as a leading cause of death in many developing countries requires urgent interventions. In order to improve access to healthcare, trained volunteers are used to distribute health commodities. The present study aims at determining knowledge and factors that may predict willingness to volunteerism in a developing country. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in 2014 among 284 community-directed distributors in three rural communities in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria using pretested semi-structured questionnaires. RESULTS: The age range of volunteers was 21-79 years. Most (71.8%) are females and are married (83.1). Only 5.6% of the volunteers did not have any formal education. The predominant occupation is trading (52.5). Most volunteers (78.5%) could define the term volunteerism. Less than half (40.1%) knew the resources that could be volunteered. Most (67.3%) felt that volunteerism is most needed in church activities. Many respondents (58.8%) had volunteered for one or more programs previously. The most common challenge faced was interference with other income generating activities (66.5%). Retired males were more likely to volunteer than retired females (P ≤ 0.01). However, females are more likely to volunteer if the main reason of volunteering is to help people (P ≤ 0.01). The more educated ones believe that volunteerism will help them to be selected for other community programs. CONCLUSION: Most respondents had volunteered for other programs and the motivating factors included the satisfaction derived from helping others and the hope of being used for other community programs.

Assessment of burnout among health workers and bankers in Aba south local government area, Abia state, South East Nigeria.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of burnout among health workers and bankers in Aba South Local Government Area in Abia State. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in 2013 among health workers and bankers in Aba metropolis. By multistage sampling method, proportionate number of the health workers and bankers were selected. The study instrument was Freudenberger Burnout Scale. RESULTS: A total of 327 health workers and bankers were studied: 253 (77.4%) were health workers while 74 (22.6%) were bankers. The age range was 21 to 59 years, and 229 (70.0%) were females. Most (48.3%) had worked for 5 years or less and had burnout scores within 0-25. There was significant difference between gender ( P = 0.017), level of education ( P = 0.038), and type of occupation ( P = 0.002) to burnout score. Age ( P = 0.956), marital status ( P = 0.461), and years of work ( P = 0.247) did not significantly affect burnout score. Female health workers were significantly more at risk of burning out compared to their male counterparts. Among bankers, however, though females were more at risk, this was not significant. Sex, level of education and type of work were the greatest contributors to burnout score. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of burnout risk among health workers and bankers is high. More female health workers are at risk of burnout than male health workers. There should be policies aimed at identifying those most at risk and reducing the prevalence.

Health education alone and health education plus advance provision of emergency contraceptive pills on knowledge and attitudes among university female students in Enugu, Nigeria.

UNLABELLED: This was an intervention study to compare the effects of health education alone and health education plus advance provision of emergency contraception (EC) pills on the knowledge and attitudes to EC by female students of University of Nigeria in South-East Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data in February, 2009 from 290 female students of a tertiary educational institution (140 in the study group and 150 from the control group) who were selected by multistage sampling. Subsequently, health education was conducted among all the students. In addition, a pack containing 2 tablets of EC pills (Postinor) was given only to the students in the study group. Three months after this intervention, its effects were assessed through a survey using the same structured questionnaire employed in the baseline survey. RESULTS: knowledge of EC was significantly higher among the study group than the controls at post-intervention, P < 0.05. Attitudes to EC were also more favorable at post-intervention survey among the study group, P < 0.05 in most of the variables. CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION: Health education plus advance provision of EC pills effectively improved knowledge and attitudes to EC among female students of tertiary institutions more than health education alone and this should be promoted.

The effects of health education on knowledge and attitudes to emergency contraception by female students of a tertiary educational institution in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

This was an intervention study to assess the effects of health education on the knowledge and attitudes to emergency contraception (EC) by female students of University of Nigeria in southeast Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 337 female students of a tertiary educational institution (150 in the study group and 187 from the control group) who were selected by multistage sampling. Subsequently, health education was conducted only among students in the study institution. Three months after this intervention, its effects were assessed through a survey using the same structured questionnaire employed in the baseline survey. Unlike the pre-intervention results, knowledge of EC was significantly higher among the study group than the controls. Attitudes to EC were also more favourable at the post- intervention survey among the study group. Health education can effectively improve knowledge and attitudes to EC among female students of tertiary institutions and this should be encouraged.