Occupational hazard perception and safety practices among workers of small-scale industries in Kano, Nigeria

Work-related injuries present a major public health problem resulting in serious social and economic consequences that could be prevented by adopting appropriate occupational health and safety measures Objective: This study assessed occupational hazard perception, safety practices and associated factors among workers of small scale industries in Kano. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to study 187 randomly selected workers of Small Scale Industries. Data was collected using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22. Results: The mean age of the workers was 24.41 ± 6.20 years with a range of 15 to 52 years. A thirdof the workers (35.3%) had at least secondary school education and most (88.3%) had worked for 10 years or less. Overall, 95.7% of the workers have good perception about occupational hazards and safety and 92.0% believed that exposure to hazards of work may affect their health. Up to 67.9% of the respondents reported being caught-up in at least one form of occupational accident, most common were dislocation (39.4%) and burns (19.7%). Most of the workers (97.3%) reported that their industries do not have any policy on health and safety and 73.8% had never been trained or advised on safety procedures. Only 49(26.2%) reported having safety measure(s) against specific accidents in their workplaces. Conclusion: Most SSIs in Kano do not have policy on health and safety. Factory inspectors should ensure effective compliance monitoring and enforcementof safety guidelines in these industries

Magnitude and leading causes of in-hospital mortality at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, northern Nigeria: A 4-year prospective analysis

Background: Population based mortality data are scarce especially in developing countries including Nigeria. Despite its limitations, hospital mortality analysis assesses the quality of health-care delivery and provides a proximate measure of mortality. We reviewed the magnitude and causes of death among in-patients in a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria. Methods: Analysis of mortality rate and causes of death for the period 20052008 (inclusive) in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Causes of death were prospectively entered on a database and classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).Results: Out of 51,975 patients admitted to the hospital, 4,029 of them died. This gives a mortality rate of 7.8% (95% Confidence Interval of 7.5% to 8.0%). Specifically, of the 15,484 males admitted, 2,361 died giving a mortality rate of 15.2% while of the 36,491 females admitted, 1,668 died giving a mortality rate of 4.6%. The median age for all patients that died was 32.4 years (range: less than 1 day to 101 years), but 36.1 years (range: less than 1 day to 101 years) for the male and 29.3 (range: less than 1 day to 87 years) for the female subsets. The ten most common causes of mortality were HIV/AIDS (8.3%), Septicaemia (6.8%), cerebrovascular disease (6.3%), chronic renal failure (3.9%) chronic liver disease (3.3%), diabetes mellitus (3.2), neonatal jaundice (2.9%), severe birth asphyxia (2.6%), prematurity (2.5%) and bronchopneumonia (2.4%). Conclusion: The mortality rate and causes of death are comparable to similar centres. Regular mortality audits could identify management errors and prevent recurrence of avoidable deaths.Key words: Mortality, causes, Teaching hospital, Kano, Nigeri

Malaria among antenatal clients attending primary health care facilities in Kano state, Nigeria

Background: Malaria in pregnancy remains a major public health problem especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the prevalence of clinical and asymptomatic infection among antenatal client (ANC) attendees is largely unknown, especially at primary health care (PHC) level in northern Nigeria. This study assessed the prevalence of fever, malarial parasitemia and anemia among pregnant women attending PHC facilities in Kano, northern Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 360 ANCs attending PHC facilities in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kano state. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Blood samples were also obtained for thin blood smear for malaria parasite using Giemsa staining technique. Hemoglobin was estimated from the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) determined using hematocrit.Results: Age of the subjects ranged from 15 to 42 years with a mean } SD of 24.0 } 6.0. Up to 39.2% (n = 141) (95% Confi dence Interval = 34.1.44.4%) of the subjects were found to have malarial parasitemia. Exactly 36.2% (n = 51) of those with parasitemia had fever (temperature . 37.5oC) while 63.8% (n = 90) of them were asymptomatic. Anemia,(hemoglobin of .11 g/dl) was found in 48.1% (n = 173) of the  respondents. A higher proportion of primigravid and secondigravid clients (61% vs. 39%) and younger pregnant women (54.6% vs. 45.4%) had malarial parasitemia compared to multigravid and older women, respectively. Similarly, a signifi cantly higher proportion (67.6%) ofanemic ANC clients had malarial parasitemia. (ƒÔ2 = 113.25, df = 1, P < 0.05).Conclusion: Malarial infection is common among the ANC clients attending PHC facilities in Kano state and the infection is commonly associated with anemia. Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) should be provided especially among primigravid, secondigravid and younger mothers at PHC centres

Knowledge and practice of smoking cessation services among health care workers in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Cigarette smoking cost the global economy billions of dollars and results in the death of millions of people yearly. Despite efforts at national, regional and global levels to control cigarette smoking, there is still much yet to be achieved. Brief intervention by health care workers to their smoking patients is one strategy that could be conducted anywhere, if the health care workers are trained and positively disposed towards smoking cessation. Thus, this study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and delivery of smoking cessation services among health care workers in Abuja.A cross sectional descriptive study design was used. Questionnaire was used to collect required information. Stata statistical software version 11 was used to describe the data and determine associations between knowledge, perception, delivery of smoking cessation services and sociodemographic characteristics using chi-square test.Only 5% of respondents ever received training on tobacco control. Awareness of interventions that enhance smoking cessation was: telephone quit lines (11%), pharmacotherapy (30.5%), behaviour therapy (34.2%) and brief intervention (51%). Only 4.3% of the respondents were not willing to support clients with tobacco cessation services. Being a physician and male were associated with higher knowledge of smoking cessation among the respondents (p < 0.05).In conclusion, there was poor perception and low capacity toprovide smoking cessation services among the respondents. There is need to improve the perception and capacity of health care workers to provide smoking cessation services.Keywords: Cigarette Smoking; Health care workers; knowledge; perception; attitude; smoking cessation; Abuja; Nigeri

Umbilical cord infection prevention practices among rural women attending immunization clinic in kumbotso, Kano state, Nigeria

Umbilical cord infections are more prevalent in developing countries because of the high rates of unhygienic cord care practices. Objectives: This study was undertaken to explore the various practices related to umbilical cord care among rural community women attending an immunization clinic in Kumbotso, Kano State, Nigeria. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used for the study. This study was carried out in immunization clinic at Kumbotso CHC of Kumbotso Local Government Area (LGA), Kano state Nigeria. Sample size was 265. Data was collected with interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 software. The result obtained was presented in the form of tables. Results: Majority, 200 (75.5%) of respondents' hands were gloved. In 126 (47.5%) of respondents, new razor blades were used, in 117 (44.2%) of respondents' scissors was used and the remaining 22 (8.3%) of respondents used razor blade or knife to cut the umbilical cord. Up to 159 (60%) of respondents applied mentholated spirit. One hundred and sixty-nine (63.8%) of respondents were informed of safe umbilical cord practices by health workers. Cord infection rate occurred in 53 (20.1%) babies. Conclusion: Cord infection prevention and control practices were high in this community with a relatively low cord infection rate. Even though Chlorhexidine was not used, health workers should emphasize and as well recommend its use in cord care. Community-based study is recommended to generate data about cord infections and practices inside the community

Digital habits and use of the internet as source of sexual and reproductive health information among undergraduates in northern Nigeria

Background: Surfing the internet and networking via social media have evolved at a startling pace. Objectives: To determine internet and social media habits and identify predictors of their use as sexual and reproductive health resource among Bayero University students. Study Design: A cross section of 385 students was interviewed using pre-tested anonymous structured self-completed questionnaires. Results: Nearly all students 98.4% (n=377) had accessed the internet and most 96.3% (n=363) had visited social media sites. Face book 57.3% (n=208), Twitter 22.3% (n=81) and Blackberry Messenger 8.8% (n=32) were the most popular among students. Of those with internet access,51.2%,46.2%, 39.2% and 38.5% mainly searched for information on HIV/AIDS, STI, sexual activities and menstrual problems respectively. There was more than two-fold likelihood of accessing online sexual information among female students compared to males, adjusted Odds ratio (aOR=2.52); 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI= 2.41-4.86). Similarly, ever-married students had more than twice the chance relative to single students (aOR=2.2, 95%CI=1.17-4.28). Furthermore, younger students (<20 years) were twice more likely to have used online resources compared to their older colleagues (≥30 years) (aOR=2.12, 95%CI=1.32-4.17). Conclusion: Undergraduate students are increasingly turning to the internet for sexual and reproductive health information. This presents an opportunity for programming.Key words: Internet, Social media, Reproductive, Sexual health, information source

Patients' satisfaction with services obtained from aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Northern Nigeria

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Knowledge of hospital waste, and safe management practices among healthcare workers in aminu kano teaching hospital, Northwest Nigeria

Management of healthcare waste (HCW) has continued to generate increasing public health interest due to the health problems associated with exposure of human beings to wastes, arising from healthcare services. Objective: This study assessed knowledge of hospital waste, and safe management practices among healthcare workers in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northwest Nigeria. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to study 152 healthcare workers in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Data was collected using semistructured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 35.3±6.4 years with about one-half 77(50.7%) within the age range of ≥35 years. Majority 108(71.1%) of the healthcare workers were males and 145(95.4%) had tertiary education. Doctors constituted 44(28.9%) with up to 105(69.1%) respondents employed less than 10 years ago. Majority of the respondents 123(80.9%) versus 120(78.9%) had satisfactory knowledge and safe hospital waste management practices respectively. Statistically significant association was found between attending training on hospital waste management and having satisfactory knowledge of hospital waste management (χ²=11.8, p-value=0.001) with those who had previous training on hospital waste management to been 4 times more likely to have satisfactory knowledge of hospital waste management than those with no previous training on hospital waste management {AOR=3.7, 95%CI=(1.3-10.8)}. Satisfactory knowledge of hospital waste was found to be statistically associated with correct hospital waste management practices (χ²=30.4, p-value<0.001), healthcare workers with satisfactory knowledge had many folds likelihood of safe hospital waste management practice {AOR=9,95%CI= (2.9- 28.4)}.Conclusions:Knowledge of hospital waste and safe waste management practices were encouraging and associated with formal training on hospital waste management. Therefore, Hospital management should ensure regular training and re-training of healthcare workers

Prevalence and factors associated with fire outbreak among traders in Kwari market, Kano

Fire outbreak in business places can result in losses in production, unemployment, morbidity and mortality and significant psycho-social problems Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic and other factors associated with fire outbreaks amongst traders in Kwari market, Kano state. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to study 442 traders in Kwari market, selected using a two-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer- statistically significant. Results: A total of 442 traders were studied. The age of the traders ranged between 18 and 70 years with a mean± SD of 38.3±9.8 years. Majority of the traders 416 (94.1%) and 425 (96.2%) were greater than or equal to 24 years of age and were males respectively. Only 21 (4.8%) of them acquired post-secondary educational qualification. The prevalence of fire outbreak among the traders was 73(16.5%). Significantly higher fire outbreak (17.5%, p=0.02) was found among traders aged 24 years and above. Similarly, male sex (15.5%, p=0.05), secondary level education (16.8%, p=0.001), cleaning job (24.4%, p=0.02) were significantly associated with higher fire outbreak. A significantly higher fire outbreak (17.6%, p=0.03) was found among traders with no prior knowledge of the need for safety guidelines and emergency contact numbers. Ever having power fluctuations in the shop was associated with 35folds increased in likelihood of fire outbreak {aOR= 35, 95%CI= (4.8-257)} while not having firefighting equipment currently was associated with two folds increased in likelihood of fire outbreak {aOR=2.0, 95%CI= (1.2-2.3)}. Conclusion: The prevalence of fire outbreaks is high and significantly associated with socio-demographic factors and poor fire safety practices, therefore all the relevant stakeholders should ensure the enforcement of fire control guidelines among traders

Predictors of Safer Conception Practices Among HIV-Infected Women in Northern Nigeria

Background: Persons living with HIV often face discrimination in safe sex and reproductive choices, especially in low-resource settings. This study assessed fertility desires and intentions, risk perception and correlates of ever use of at least one safer conception method among HIV-infected women attending a tertiary health facility in Kano, Nigeria.Methods: Structured questionnaires were administered to a cross section of 328 of 427 eligible HIV-infected women. Fertility desires and intentions, risk perception and safer conception practice were analyzed. Logistic regression was employed to assess for predictors. Results: Of the 328 respondents, 150 respondents (45.7%) wanted more children. The proportions of respondents aware of their transmission risk during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding were 69.5%, 75.3%, and 78.9%, respectively. Further, 68.9% of respondents were aware of the prospects of bearing HIV-negative children without infecting their partners. About 64.8% of women were aware of at least one safer conception method. Safer conception methods ever-used by the participants include: antiretroviral therapy (ART) (36.7%), timed unprotected intercourse with (10.9%), and without pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (17.2%), intravaginal insemination (7.3%) and intrauterine insemination (4.7%). Safer conception practice was predicted by marital status (married versus single, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.10-3.55), parity (2-4 versus 0, AOR = 12.1, 95% CI = 3.7-39.8), occupation (civil servants versus traders, AOR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.16-0.86), husband’s serostatus (seroconcordant versus serodiscordant) (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.13-4.64), couple contraceptive use (users versus non-users) (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.16-5.83) and transmission risk perception (high risk versus low/no risk) (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.18-3.90).Conclusion: We found high levels of fertility desires and intentions and moderate risk perception among a cohort of HIV-infected women in urban Kano, Nigeria. The use of safer conception practices was not common. Our findings underscore the need for healthcare provider capacity building to enhance safer conception counseling and service delivery