Effect of voice reminder on compliance with recommended hand hygiene practise among health-care workers in Kano metropolis.

BACKGROUND: Poor compliance with recommended hand hygiene practise by health-care workers is an emerging public health threat associated with significant morbidity, mortality and spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of voice reminder on compliance with recommended hand hygiene practise among the baseline, and post-intervention compliance with recommended hand hygiene among health-care workers using the WHO checklist for observation of 5-moments of hand hygiene of health-care workers in Kano. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study design was used. A total of 408 (204 in each arm) baseline and post-intervention observations were conducted in two hospitals in Kano, selected using a multistage sampling technique. Voice reminders were installed in the intervention hospital, and post-intervention observation was conducted 3 months after introducing a voice reminder. SPSS version 22.0 was used for data analysis. Relationship between variables was tested using χ2 and McNemar's test within the groups at 0.05 α-level of significance. RESULTS: Baseline compliance with hand hygiene in the intervention and control hospitals were 31.4% and 48.0%, respectively. Post-intervention compliance in the intervention and control hospitals were found to be 78.0% and 65.2%, respectively. Voice reminder improved compliance with hand hygiene practise when compared with baseline by +148% (P# = 0.3) in the intervention hospital compared with +36% (P# =0.1) in the control hospital. The differences were not statistically significant post-intervention when compared with the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Voice reminder intervention improved hand hygiene compliance among health-care workers in the intervention hospital compared with the control hospital. Voice reminders should be provided in the hospitals by stakeholders. This can help in improving compliance with hand hygiene among health-care workers and reducing the burden of hospital-acquired infections due to the hands of health-care workers.

Knowledge, Observation and Practices Related to Neonatal Jaundice in a Rural Community in Kano, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition and when not adequately treated leads to acute bilirubin encephalopathy/kernicterus. This largely preventable condition is an important cause of death and disability in low- and middle-income countries. Education, early detection and effective management are key for prevention and require an understanding of community knowledge and practices to foster appropriate behavior to prevent severe NNJ. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify knowledge, observation for jaundice (both active and passive) and practices related to NNJ in northern Nigeria. METHODS: This descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study enrolled 298 household members with an average age of 29.8 years in Kano, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire regarding knowledge of, potential sequelae and causes and local practices related to NNJ was administered and data were analyzed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. RESULTS: Participants reported: 85% NNJ to be a sign of illness; 3% understood that NNJ could cause brain damage; 94% did not actively observe for jaundice in their newborns; 56% did not know what causes NNJ; 88% would seek care if their newborn developed jaundice. Significant relationships between educational levels and what study participants would do if a newborn develops jaundice and between occupation, educational level and knowledge about causes of NNJ were noted, consistent with a difference in active jaundice observation between ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: A public health approach to NNJ with a strong community education program is a crucial next step in the fight to eliminate severe NNJ.

Factors Influencing Neonatal Practice in a Rural Community in Kano (Northern), Nigeria.

Nigeria has the highest number of neonatal and under-five deaths in Africa. Socio-cultural determinants play an important role in disease burden in low-middle income countries. This study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes and neonatal care practice among household caregivers in a rural community in Nigeria, specifically uvulectomy, female genital mutilation (FGM), failure to routinely immunize and unsafe cord care. Further, relationships between demographic characteristics and knowledge, attitudes and neonatal care practices among caregivers were analyzed. The study design was descriptive correlational and cross-sectional. Consented caregivers (N = 298) were enrolled and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic characteristics of the study participants and practice of uvulectomy, FGM, immunization and cord care. Statistically significant correlations were found between the practice of uvulectomy, FGM and failure to immunize based on occupation (p = 0.0202, p = 0.0290, p = 0.0071) and educational level (p =< 0.0001, p =< 0.0001, p =< 0.0001), with variations by ethnicity. Intense, preventative health measures and maternal education to eliminate harmful care practices are essential to influence outcomes.