Knowledge And Practice of Occupational Safety Among Quarry Workers in A Rural Community in Edo State

Background: The quarry industry remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in because of the enormous hazards associated with the art of quarrying which may manifest long after the worker ceases to work in the quarry. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and practice of occupational safety among quarry workers in Ikpeshi, a rural community in Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out among the quarry workers. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16. Results: A total of 410 quarry workers made up of 206 (50.2%) process operators, 68 (16.6%) drillers, 57 (13.9%) plant operators, 39 (9.5%) maintenance workers, 31 (7.6%) drivers and 9 (2.2%) shot firers were interviewed. Their mean (SD) age was 27.0 (5.9) years and 338 (82.4%) were males. Two hundred and thirty five (57.3%) were aware of safety measures in the quarries and the major source of information was from friends (67.8%). Only 137 (33.4%) used personal protective equipment at all times while working. Awareness of diseases associated with working in a quarry was poor. Conclusion: The level of awareness of safety measures did not translate to use of personal protective equipment among theJournal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care VOL. 23, NOS 1&2, MAR/SEPT. 201

Awareness and perception of maternal mortality among women in a semi-urban community in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Background: Maternal mortality rates are very high in Nigeria. Increased level of awareness and perception will reduce maternal mortality rates. Objective: The study was aimed at assessing the awareness and perception of maternal mortality among women in the reproductive age group at Ogunu community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out in Ogunu town in Delta State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 women, who gave consent to be enrolled in the study. They were assisted in filling a semi-structured questionnaire containing questions on awareness and perception of maternal mortality among women in the community. Information generated was recorded on a data collection sheet designed for the study. The coded data were fed into the computer using the SPSS program to determine the mean values and frequencies. Results: A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed; of these, 349 were completely filled and returned. The mean age of the study subjects was 31.6 ± 7.7 years. Among these subjects, 54.7% were married, while 32.7%, 28.7% and 26.5% had tertiary, secondary and primary education, respectively. The study revealed that 96.3% of the subjects felt that death can occur from pregnancy-related problems, while 69.1% were aware of maternal mortality. Majority of the subjects agreed that one or more forms of delay could be responsible for their death. This study shows that a good proportion of subjects was aware of maternal mortality and also had a good perception of it. Conclusion: Efforts should be directed towards educating women about the risk of delivering in homes of traditional birth attendants, maternity homes and health centers, and the concept of early referral of women to the hospital should be reinforced. Providing information to women on prevention of maternal mortality and community participation and mobilization will help prevent maternal mortality to some extent in Nigeria

Health Effects Of Night Shift Duty On Nurses In A University Teaching Hospital In Benin City, Nigeria

Objective: This study is aimed at identifying the effects of night shift duty on the health and wellbeing of nurses in order to make recommendations on ways of ameliorating them. Methods: The study was of a cross sectional descriptive type using a total sample of nurses in the hospital. Data collection was by means of a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and the analysis by the computer Programme for Epidemiologists (PEPI). Results: The response rate was 79.3% with a total of 211(68.1%) having one or more health complaints, which included muscle ache and pains (58.7%), frequent headaches (21.9%), lack of concentration (21.3%) and a negative effect on social life (66.1%). The younger nurses disliked night shift more than the older ones (2 = 57.5, df = 6, p = 0.000) and 57.7% felt they were less productive during night shift. The shorter the period of sleep after the night shift, the lesser the level of productivity and the more the manifestation of health symptoms (2 = 45.5, df = 4, p = 0.000 and 2 = 29.0, df = 2, p = 0.000 respectively). Conclusion: Night shift duty caused both medical and psychological problems on the nurses. There is a need for medical surveillance, educational programme and the application of sleep hygiene techniques for shift working nurses. Keywords: Night shift, Nurses, Health complaints.Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (2) 2008: pp. 144-14

Care Giver's Knowledge about Childhood Diarrheal Management in a Rural Community in South-south Nigeria.

No Abstract.

Causes of job dissatisfaction among doctors at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital (comparison of focus group discussion with cross-section study)

No Abstract.Nigerian Medical Journal Vol. 46 (3) 2005: pp. 60-6

Awareness and perception of maternal mortality among women in a semi-urban community in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality rates are very high in Nigeria. Increased level of awareness and perception will reduce maternal mortality rates. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at assessing the awareness and perception of maternal mortality among women in the reproductive age group at Ogunu community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was carried out in Ogunu town in Delta State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 400 women, who gave consent to be enrolled in the study. They were assisted in filling a semi-structured questionnaire containing questions on awareness and perception of maternal mortality among women in the community. Information generated was recorded on a data collection sheet designed for the study. The coded data were fed into the computer using the SPSS program to determine the mean values and frequencies. RESULTS: A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed; of these, 349 were completely filled and returned. The mean age of the study subjects was 31.6 +/- 7.7 years. Among these subjects, 54.7% were married, while 32.7%, 28.7% and 26.5% had tertiary, secondary and primary education, respectively. The study revealed that 96.3% of the subjects felt that death can occur from pregnancy-related problems, while 69.1% were aware of maternal mortality. Majority of the subjects agreed that one or more forms of delay could be responsible for their death. This study shows that a good proportion of subjects was aware of maternal mortality and also had a good perception of it. CONCLUSION: Efforts should be directed towards educating women about the risk of delivering in homes of traditional birth attendants, maternity homes and health centers, and the concept of early referral of women to the hospital should be reinforced. Providing information to women on prevention of maternal mortality and community participation and mobilization will help prevent maternal mortality to some extent in Nigeria