Awareness and practice of safety measures against occupational hazards among aluminium foundry workers in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Founding predisposes the worker to hazards (extreme heat, dust, fumes, sharp objects), which if unchecked, can cause health problems (burns, respiratory problems, cuts). This study aimed to assess the awareness and practice of safety measures against occupational hazards among aluminium foundry workers in Jos-North LGA.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, which involved 125 aluminium foundry workers in Laranto-Katako area of Jos-North LGA. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Analysis of data was done using EPI-Info® version 3.5.4 statistical software package. A probability value of p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: All 125 (100%) respondents were males with a mean age of 24.8±9.7 years and 52 (41.2%) were less than 20 years of age. The study revealed that 118 (94.4%) of them were aware of occupational hazards associated with foundries; The hazards most known were fires with 116 (92.8%) mentions, extreme heat, 85 (68.0) and sharp objects, 85 (68.0%), and with the least being, long working hours, 25 (20.0%). A majority, 118 (94.4%) were aware of hand gloves, 114 (91.2%) nose masks with overalls having the least awareness, 13 (10.4%). The most frequently used safety measures were nose masks, 73 (58.4%), then hand gloves, 57 (45.6%). A statistically significant relationship, with p value of 0.0321, was found between the level of education and the practice of safety measures.Conclusions: The study showed that most of the foundry workers had good knowledge of the hazards, safety measures; however, there was low use of safety measures. An educational campaign on the hazards and use of safety measures, accompanied by the efforts of the government, should be instituted for the foundry workers regularly to help safeguard their health

Assessment of the Knowledge and Practice of Universal Precaution for the Prevention of HIV Transmission by Health Workers in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State Nigeria

Background The increasing prevalence of HN increases the risk that health workers will be exposed to  patients infected with HN, especially when blood and bodyfluid precautions are not followed for all  patients. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of health workers on HN I AIDS as well as their practice of universal precaution with regards to HN I AIDS. Methodology This was a cross sectional study conducted among health workers in selected health  facilities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau state in north central Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 104 health workers that are directly involved in patient care from 5 health facilities made up of a General Hospital and 4 Primary Health Centres. The data collection instrument was a structured interviewer administered questionnaire that obtained data on health workers' bio-data,  knowledge of transmission of HN, knowledge on universal precautions, practice of universal precautions, and the prevention of HN transmission by health workers.Result A total of 104 respondents were recruited for the study. The mean age of the health workers was 42.6 ± 7.9 years with 69 (66.3%) females and 35(33. 7%) males. All (1 00%) of the respondents were  aware of HNIAIDS and 78 (75.0%) knew that the disease has no cure. Modes of transmission that were recognized by the participants included sex [90(86.5%)] pregnancy [55(53.4%)], delivery [85(81. 7)].  Most of the respondents were able to identify components of UPs. Hand washing was identified by 85(81.  7%), use of PPE by 83(80.6%), safe collection and disposal of sharps by 99(95.2%) and prevention of  injury from sharps by 96(92.3%). Among the respondents 88 (84. 6%) practiced hand washing regularly when handling patients I carrying out procedures. General use of Personal Protective Equipment's (PPE)  was reported by 85 (81. 7%) though consistent use was reported by only 54(63.5%). PPE that are used by the respondents included gloves (93.1%), safety goggles (11.5%), apron (29.8%), boots (18.4%), facemask (25.3%) and gowns (21.8%). Also,  34(32. 7%) had experienced splashing of bodily fluids to the mouth, 28(26.9%) splashing to the eye, 38(36.5%) splashing to non-intact skin and 65(63. 7%) had sustained percutaneous injury. The devices commonly causing injury included hypodermic needles (52.2%), suture needle (26.1%) and intravenous stylet (14.5).ConclusionThis study conducted among 104 health workers showed good knowledge of various  aspects of HN I AIDS and UPs. Most were found to use PPE especially gloves, sharp boxes for disposal and regular hand washing. Up 64% had experienced exposures of various types of which less than half had been reported. Periodic re- training of the health workers would be of immense benefit in cultivating safe practices hence reducing the risk of injury and infection.Keywords: HN I AIDS; Universal Precaution; Personal Protective Equipmen

Risky sexual behaviour and associated factors among female students of a Tertiary institution in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Human sexual behaviour is the way in which humans experience and express their sexuality. It could be risky and non-risky. Risky  sexual behaviours including early sexual debut, unprotected sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners and having sex under the influence of  alcohol or drugs. Objective: This study assessed the sexual practices and factors associated with risky-sexual behaviour of the female students. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 400 female students of the Plateau State Polytechnic. The subjects were selected from all  the departments using a two-stage sampling technique. A pretested semi-structured selfadministered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant  information from the subject. Analysis was done using IBMSPSS 22.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Sixty-four percent of the respondents had sexual debut at age 19-23 years. Fifty-two percent had sex with only one partner within the last  six months while respondent's sexual partners were mostly male. About 92% practiced vaginal sex, 6.2% oral sex and 2.3% anal sex. Less than one-quarter and 19.2% of the study participants used condom always and did negotiate for safer sex respectively. There was a significant association  between substance use and risky-sexual behaviour. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of risky-sexual behaviours among the study cohort.  These were seen from the high percentage of the female students who had sexual debut before the age of 18 years, unprotected sexual intercourse  as well as multiple sexual partners. Substance use, desire for pleasure, expression of love, and quest for money were the factors  associated with sexual behaviour of the cohort