KNOWLEDGE OF ANTIMICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE (AMR) AMONG PATIENTS IN A GENERAL OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL (AMAC), FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently prevalent and has the potential to affect everyone, of any age, in any country. In humans, animals, and the environment, antimicrobial-resistant microbes are quickly emerging and spreading. This study aims to assess the knowledge of Antimicrobial Drug Resistance (AMR) among patients in a General Outpatient Clinic in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 400 clients in a district hospital done in 2022 using a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed and presented as tables, proportions, and percentages using the IBM SPSS 28 Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital Ethical Research Committee, Jos, and Plateau State. Results: The study revealed that 8.5% of female respondents had good knowledge, 20.75% had fair knowledge while 27.75% had poor knowledge. Of all the male respondents, 8.5% had good knowledge, 13% had fair knowledge and 21.5% had poor knowledge. Summarily, only 68 (17.0%) of participants had good knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, 135 (33.75%) had fair knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, and 197 (49.25%) had poor knowledge of antimicrobial resistance. Test of association between knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and socio-demographics showed that marital status (χ² = 44.28, p < 0.045), Education (χ²= 123.80, p < 0.001), and Age (χ² = 112.95, p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion: The Federal, State, and Local governments, health care providers, and community health workers should focus on increasing awareness of AMR risk factors through health campaigns and programs that will aid behavioral change.

KNOWLEDGE, AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL AT PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTRES, JOS-PLATEAU STATE; NIGEIRA.

Introduction: COVID-19 Vaccination has been met with a variation in acceptability for various reasons, ranging from spiritual to physical perception of the vaccines, false information, and lack of information. Adequate knowledge and positivity will lead to high acceptance and willingness to take the vaccine. Acceptance of the vaccine by the general public and healthcare workers appears to play a major role in controlling the pandemic. Vaccine hesitancy is viewed by the World Health Organization as the world's top threat to public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge, acceptance, and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among women attending Antenatal at Primary Healthcare Centers in Jos-Plateau State; Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in 2021 among 250 pregnant women using a multistage sampling technique. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Sociology-demographic variables were presented on tables using frequencies and proportions. Knowledge, attitude, and perception were scored and graded appropriately. The level of significance was set at a p-value≤0.05. Results: The majority, 224 (89.6%) were aware that there is a vaccine for coronavirus. Majority, 173 (69.2%) of the respondents had a fair knowledge of the vaccine, 45 (18%) had good knowledge while 32 (12.8%) had poor knowledge. Majority 151 (60.4%) of the respondents were willing to receive the vaccine if it was made available while 99 (39.6%) were not willing. Although only about 60 (24%) had received the vaccine with 83% of these being before pregnancy, 23 (24.0%) experienced allergic symptoms after taking the coronavirus vaccine, and 13 (13.5%) took the vaccine during pregnancy. Of these pregnant women, 14 (25.0) experienced side effects. The major misconception among the women was centered around false information from social media, such as magnetic properties of the vaccine. The major systemic side effects that were experienced by those who had received the vaccine were headaches (47.6%), catarrh (28.6%), injection site swelling (22.2%), fever (20.5%), and fatigue (16.0%). Abdominal pains (18.8%), preterm contraction (15.6%), bleeding per vagina (15.6%), miscarriage (9.4%), reduced or poor fetal kicks (9.4%) occurred after taking the vaccine during pregnancy. Conclusion: The government and the PHC board should intensify sensitization of communities and patients about the COVID-19 vaccine using television, and radio and enlighten the persons who come for Ante Natal Care (ANC) through posters and oral awareness.

KNOWLEDGE OF MPOX AMONG PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) WORKERS IN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE. NIGERIA.

Introduction: Mpox (MPX) is a viral zoonotic (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) disease caused by Mpox virus currently spreading across the world. Primary healthcare workers are fundamental in the provision of healthcare at the grassroots level. They are the front-line health managers who are expected to meet the needs of their community and prevent the spread of Mpox in Nigeria. This study aims to assess the knowledge of Mpox among Primary Health Care (PHC) Workers in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. Methodology: The study is a descriptive cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of Mpox among 152 Primary Health Care (PHC) workers in Jos North, LGA. A multistage sampling technique and a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire were used to collect data. Results: Majority of the participants, 118 (77.6%) were females, while 34 (22.4%) of the participants were males. Most of the participants 46 (30.3%) were within the age group of 31 to 40 years, Most Respondents had poor knowledge on Mpox in general 70 (46.1%), 19 (12.5%) demonstrated a good knowledge of Mpox; 63 (41.4%) had moderate knowledge in terms of clinical presentations, prevalence, and vaccine availability. Most respondents were knowledgeable with regards to Mpox being preventable (89.5%) and the knowledge of some preventive measures. Conclusion: Government and Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA) should intensify efforts to sensitize the PHC workers on Mpox infection through seminars and workshops, as well as on preventive measures already in place. The PHC workers should make a personal effort to learn more about Mpox infection, its prevention, and control.