Perception and acceptability of malaria vaccine among maternal and child health clinic attendees at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Ninety percent of the world's malaria cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Because of challenges with ongoing malaria control strategies there is need for newer strategies such as malaria vaccine. Nigeria's immunization program has suffered series of setback in recent times due to misperception that marred its acceptability. Malaria vaccine trials have already commenced in some countries. The aim of this study was to assess the perception and acceptability of malaria vaccines among maternal and child health clinic attendees.Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A semi-structured pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection from maternal and child health clinic attendees in Calabar, Nigeria. Respondents were selected using systematic random sampling. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, sources of information regarding malaria vaccine and perception and acceptability of malaria vaccine.Results: Majority of respondents, 90.5%, were females, 93% were married and 77.5% were educated up to tertiary level. Civil servants constituted 35.1% of respondents. Majority, 157(60%) of respondents had heard about malaria vaccine prior to the study. Eighty –four percent of respondents indicated that they believe malaria vaccine is necessary for malaria control. Fifty- three percent of respondents agreed that they would allow their children to be volunteers for malaria vaccine trial. Eighty- six percent of respondents would recommend that malaria vaccine be made part of the country's National Programme on Immunization.Conclusion: Majority of respondents had good perception of malaria vaccine. However, there is need for more advocacy and health education so as to debunk all myths and misperceptions.Keywords: Malaria, Vaccine, Acceptability, Perception, Immunization, Nigeri

Predictors of sickness absence and job satisfaction among staff of a coastal hospital in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Sickness absence can predict job satisfaction in many systems;whereas job satisfaction drives active participation in decision-making processes and is a bed-rock for effective patient care among healthcare workers.AIM:The objectives of this study were to determine the predictors of sickness absence and job satisfaction and their relationship among staff of a hospital in Calabar,Nigeria.METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional analytic hospital-based study involving 324 healthcare workers of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.The study used a semi-structured pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire, developed and standardized by the researchers. Data generated was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for windows version 18, descriptive and regression statistics, with the p-value set at 0.05.RESULT: Thirty-five (10.8%) of the respondents were physicians, 42(13.0%) nurses, while non-clinician health workers constituted 55.9%.Their average age was 37.05±8.84 years with a slight preponderance of female over male (1.4:1). There were statistically significant associations between duration of sickness absence and job satisfaction (p=0.002). Following logistic regression, occupation was found as an independent predictor of job satisfaction. Participants who were non-clinician health workers, {Odds Ratio3.3;95% Confidence interval 1.505- 7.261} were significantly more likely to have job satisfaction compared with the clinicians.CONCLUSION: The study found a high level of dis-satisfaction with the job using specific parameters in the work setting for assessment.The institution of a safety unit in the Hospital,adjustment of work schedules together with the supply of ergonomic-oriented work equipment to check discomfort at work are recommended

Teaching Family Medicine in Medical Schools - The Perspective from a Nigerian Medical School.

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Use of the General Health Questionnaire as a screening tool for Geriatric Patients in Calabar, Nigeria

BACKGROUND:Old age is inevitably associated with general biological and physical decline.Mental health issues are among the most prevalent health problems of the elderly and constitute an important source of distress for patients and caregivers. Primary care providers frequently fail to diagnose these problems, and, even when they do, management may not be optimal. This study aimed to determine the proportion of geriatric mental health morbidity detected by Family Physicians and compare this with General Health Questionnaire detection in the recognition of morbidity in this cohort.METHOD: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey involving 107 elderly respondents, conveniently recruited for the study from the Family Medicine Geriatric Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.  Respondents were grouped into 'cases' and 'non-cases' using a cut-off score of '3' with the General Health Questionnaire as the main comparative detection instrument. Family Physicians' abilities to identify mental health morbidity were then compared with the General Health Questionnaire ratings. Socio-demographic correlates and identification rates were determined by statistical tests of associations.RESULTS: The General Health Questionnaire identified 48.6% 'cases' while the Family Physicians identified 9.4% among the attendees. Statistically significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were found for marital status(X2 = 21.84; p< 0.009),level of education(X2 =42.58; p< 0.005) and sexX2= (6.98; p < 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that using the General Health Questionnaire and paying attention to geriatrics' socio-demographic parameters can improve the detection of mental health morbidities in the elderlyby Family Physicians.KEY WORDS: Care of the Elderly, Geriatric Mental Health, Family Physicia