The Control of Malaria among PLWHA in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

The purpose of the study was to examine RBM programme’s efforts at controlling malaria among PLWHA and explore their perception of the control strategies. The study was a descriptive survey involving guided interviews of top managers of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) programme. A structured questionnaire was administered to 108 PLWHA attending an HIV/AIDS clinic in a secondary health facility in Calabar. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thematic analysis revealed that RBM programme strategies include effective case management, promotion of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLINs), intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) and integrated vector management (IVM). Complementary results showed that 104 (92%) admitted accessibility to malarial treatment. Although 83 (57.7%) of PLWHA have LLINs, only 63 (42.3%) use them. Majority of the respondents 89 (60%) have not heard of indoor/outdoor residual spraying (IRS). How to get IRS services and lack of money to buy it were listed as a barrier to its use. Malarial treatment was accessible to PLWHA. The barriers to the use of ITN and IRS could be addressed through free distribution of odorless ITN and IRS to PLWHA. Higher rates of utilization of the products can be achieved through behavioural change communication

Health care providers’ knowledge and practice of focused antenatal care in a cottage hospital in Enugu State, South East Nigeria

The potential of antenatal care for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and improving newborn survival and health is widely acknowledged. The study sought to investigate Health Care Providers knowledge and practice of focused antenatal care in a cottage Hospital Okpatu. Qualitative ethnographical research design was adopted, while in-depth interview guide and observational checklist were the instruments for data collection. Findings revealed poor knowledge of concept, components, timing of visits on focused antenatal care and non compliance with the guidelines for the practice of focused antenatal care, because of health workers lack of knowledge on focused antenatal care. Conclusively, effort to improve antenatal care should address shortage of trained staff through expanding training opportunities. Based on the above, intensive awareness and retraining of health workers and monitoring and supervision of health care providers on evidence based focused antenatal care is recommended for health care providers in the study area. There is need for health care providers to motivate local government authority in the area to supply more equipment to ensure adequacy of resources to deliver quality care. Also, there should be strategies for implementation of existing policy concerning Focused antenatal care in the study area.Keywords: Focused Antenatal Care, Knowledge, Practic

Job Satisfaction among Nurses in Public Hospitals in Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria

Background: Job satisfaction is an essential part of nurses’ lives, influencing patient safety, productivity, performance, quality of care, retention, turnover, commitment to the organization and the profession. Little is known about determinants of job satisfaction and their relationship with overall job satisfaction among nurses in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study was undertaken to assess the level of job satisfaction and the relationship between determinants and overall job satisfaction. Methods: A descriptive survey with a sample of 346 nurses selected through stratified random sampling was used in this study. A self-reported questionnaire labeled Work Quality Index was used in collecting data on job satisfaction. The instrument yielded a test-retest reliability of ® 0.73 to 0.85. Data were computer analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 for Windows. Results: Majority of respondents 262 (75.7%) were between ages 31-40 years while most (48.5%) had 16-25 years of working experience. The respondents were predominantly female (88.4%). Regarding education, most of the respondents (69.9%) had diploma in Nursing while 28.6% were first degree holders. The mean overall of job satisfaction was 146.7. The results also revealed that majority of the respondents 265 (82.4%) were moderately satisfied with their work. Nurses were least satisfied with their salaries. The level of achievement, advancement, responsibility, recognition, work itself, nursing practice environment, hospital policy, interpersonal relationship, salary, supervision and working conditions were significantly positively related to the overall job satisfaction. Conclusion: The study has shown that nurses in the hospital under study were not totally satisfied with their job. In view of the negative impact of lack of job satisfaction, the main recommendation was that all determinants of job satisfaction must be addressed by the government, hospital management and professional associations

Registered nurses’ (RNS) perception of the nursing profession and health care work environment in tertiary and secondary health facilities in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: A healthy work environment has tremendous benefits on organizational performance, health service delivery, health worker performance and patient outcome. In 2009, International Council of Nurses (ICN) undertook a global survey which sought for nurses’ opinion on the nursing profession and their work environment in 11 countries, excluding Nigeria. Little is known about how Nigerian nurses, particularly nurses in Cross River state perceive their work environment. This study explores registered nurses’ perceptions and experiences with selected features of a positive practice environment, as a basis for developing an intervention strategy for improving nurses’ work environment in Calabar, Cross River state. Methods: This study was a descriptive survey by design. Perceptions of features of positive practice environment were explored among Registered Nurses in full time employment at tertiary and secondary health facilities in Calabar using a modified 51-item standard structured questionnaire originally developed by Pfizer to measure Nurses expectations and needs in a 2009 ICN Quadrennial Study. The questionnaire was adapted with the permission of Pfizer. Data were computer analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 15. Interrelationships between variables were tested using Chi- Square analysis. Results: The mean (SD) age of the respondents was 37.4 ± 8.3 years while respondents’ mean (SD) working experience was 15.8 ± 8.7 years. The respondents were predominantly female 149(90.3%) while 109 (66.1%) were married. The level of education indicated that most 110(66.7%) had diploma in Nursing, 43(26.1%) had first degree, and 12(7.3%) had post-graduate qualification. Most 86(52.1%) of the nurses had heard just a little some about positive practice environment (PPE), 30(18.2%) had heard nothing at all while only 49(29.7%) were quite knowledgeable. The features of PPE rated highly by the participants were clear and comprehensive description of their job responsibility 75(45.5%) and an environment of team work and collegiality 71(43.0%). Similarly, in their practice experience, the very positive feature in their work environment was an environment of open communication, teamwork and collegiality 60(36.4); clear and comprehensive description of their job responsibility 53(32.1%). Most favorable aspect of nursing identified by the nurses was helping patients/patient contact 75 (45.5%) while the most unfavourable aspect of nursing identified were risk of contracting infections 61(37.0%). Although 96(58.2%) of the participants opined that nursing is better today than 5 years ago, only 50(30.3%) were very satisfied with nursing while 103(61.8%) of the nurses expressed the desire to remain in the nursing profession in the next 5 years. Discussion: The findings have established the need for making information on PPE widely available to practicing Registered Nurses in Calabar. Employers of nurses should take urgent steps to improve health and safety policies and procedures at the work place to create a more positive practice environment for nurses to perform their duties and improve patient outcome. More efforts are required by the professional association to negotiate better pay packages, benefits and incentives for nurses in order to guarantee nurses wellbeing and retention in the profession