Factors Determining Correct Case Management of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children by Primary Health care in Ibadan

Background: Inappropriate case management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) is one of the factors responsible for the high ARI mortality in developing countries. Identification of factors which influence ARI case management by health workers is key for interventions to improve Quality of case management. Objective: To identify factors which determine correct case management of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) in children by primary health care workers in Ibadan. Design: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out from June to December 1999 in Ibadan South East LGA and Lagelu LGA. Study materials included observation checklists, validation checklist, and health worker interview questionnaires. Results: Twenty-five health workers and 20 health workers were observed managing 390 children and 386 children in Ibadan South East and Lagelu LGA respectively. More than half of Pneumonia cases were correctly treated in the two LGAs (62.3% and 66.1% respectively). Sex and category of health workers was significantly associated with correct treatment of mild ARI with female workers and Nursing staff doing better (Odds ratio 4.57, 95% CI 2.15, 9.95 and 4.61, 95% CI 2.57, 8.31 respectively). Health workers who had been trained performed better in the management of Pneumonia though it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: There is a need for targeted research to identify the relative contribution of the myriad of factors influencing health worker performance in specific localities in order to improve the quality of care in child health programmes. Keywords: Factors, Case Management, ARI, Health workers.NQJHM Vol. 16 (1) 2005: pp. 14-1

Awareness of workers on Hazards Exposure and Safety Measure in an Aluminum industry in Ojo L.G.A. of Lagos State

A study of workers in an Aluminium industry located in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, was carried out to determine the level of awareness to hazards and the use of preventive and protective measures put in place to control these hazards. Questionnaires were administered to all the staff of the company available during the period of data collection. Of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 120 were returned giving a response rate of 80%. The mean age of the respondents was 32.19 ± 9.3 years while the median age was 30 years. Majority (50%) of the respondents were in the age grouping 25 – 34 years. There was no significant statistical association between age, educational level and hazard awareness in the studied population. Males were more likely to regularly use protective devices compared to females, 4.6.5% and 23.5% respectively. Workers who had tertiary education were less likely to regularly use personnel protective equipment compared to those with secondary education, 32.1% and 50% respectively. The study makes recommendations to further improve knowledge and awareness of hazards in the work place towards safely control measures. Keywords: Knowledge, Hazards, Workers, Aluminum industryNQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 220-22