investigation on the awareness of hepatitis B virus among health care workers in Nigeria

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is transmitted through percutaneous or mucosal exposure to infective blood or body fluids. It is a major problem because it can cause chronic infection, resulting in cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and even death The main aim of the study was to investigate the Awareness of hepatitis B virus among health care workers at the Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Nigeria; to assess the attitude of health care workers’ vaccination against HBV; and to assess the barrier to predictors for effective hepatitis B virus among health care workers. Two-hundred and fifteen copies of questionnaire were distributed and 161 copies were retrieved, which shown overall response rate of 74.9%. The data was analyzed using SPSS and cross-tabulation, percentage and chi-square utilized. The results revealed that health care workers have poor knowledge of hepatitis B virus; the use of protective material appeared to be influenced by the perceived risk of transmission and majority indicating that overall practices towards hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention was good. Based on the finding, the study recommends that; there is a need to inform heath care workers (HCN) of the availability of an effecting, safe vaccine that prevent HBV. All health care facilities should have programs designed to minimize risk, including infection control programs; hepatitis B vaccine protocol should be available at each health care facility; and programs need to be implemented to identify HBV positive HCNs and transfer them for appropriate medical management for vaccination

Factors Influencing Maternal Health Care Services Utilization in Nigeria

Background: Maternal mortality trends in developing world has failed to reduce significantly despite various policies and strategies such as safe motherhood initiative and many others initiated to change the situation. Most maternal deaths (295000) occurred in developing countries and most could have been prevented with timely access to emergency obstetric care. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) alone accounted for roughly two-thirds of maternal deaths, and Nigeria is among these countries. This study investigated factors that contribute to delays among women seeking emergency obstetric care. Methods: A mixed method was utilized. The population for the study were women aged 15-49 years who had experience direct obstetric complications and were attending the health facility for care at the time of this study. 318 women completed the questionnaires, whilst in-depth interviews were held for six women who were conveniently selected from a large (318) quantitative respondent. Questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used in collecting data for this study. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyzed quantitative data using inferential, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression was used to test predictive power of the predictor variables; whilst a qualitative content analysis was carried out on the qualitative data. Results: Cost of transportation was (P=0.003) associated to good decision-making to seek maternal health care services, with those who did not pay for transportation and those that paid little amount having more good decision to seek care than those with high cost of transportation. Quality of care at the facility equally had an impact on maternal service utilization as the likelihood of non-service utilization was significantly lower when quality of care was reported to be optimal (AOR: 0.37,95% CI: 0.17, 0.82). Conclusions: The variables that were found to be significantly influencing decision to utilize maternal health care services include cost of transportation, distance and quality of care. Keywords: Factors associated, Maternal health care services, Health facilities, Nigeri

Further Education lecturers: A glimpse into factors influencing their career satisfaction, aspirations and development

There is no doubt that Further Education (FE) lecturers are one of the most influential individuals in the life of a young adult. Nevertheless, it is usually reported that they find their jobs stressful and irritating. Furthermore, reports have indicated most graduates do not find teaching in FE sectors as an exciting and interesting environment to begin their career. Thus, this sector is not viewed as one where job satisfaction and opportunities for career developments is derived. This paper provides a glimpse into some reported factors that influences FE lecturers’ career satisfaction, aspirations and development. In particular, personal, organisational, external and political influences that impacts on FE lecturers are examined and a call for further research within this sector is strongly recommended

Factors influencing access to emergency obstetric care amongst women seen in one of the tertiary health facilities in Delta State, Nigeria

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of the University of Wolverhampton for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.Background/Aim: Historical evidences indicate that maternal health care by a skilled birth attendant is one of the key strategies for maternal survival. However, the rate of maternity care utilisation and reduction of maternal death is very low in Nigeria. This study was designed to investigate factors influencing access to emergency obstetric care with a view to guiding programmatic efforts targeted at overcoming these barriers and also contribute to health reforms in Nigeria. Hence, the need to understand factors influencing access to emergency obstetric care in Nigeria using the Socio-ecological Model (SEM) and Gender and Development (GAD) to identify associated factors operating at different levels. Methods: A mixed method was employed for this study. Data collection used questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to 330 respondents of which 318 of them were retrieved and qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted for 6 participants. Data collection were done using a sequential approach. The study was conducted in one of the tertiary health facilities in Nigeria from January-April, 2015, amongst mothers aged 15-45 years meeting the study inclusion criteria. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in analysing the quantitative data. Bivariate and logistic regressions were conducted for the quantitative data whilst a qualitative content analysis was done for the qualitative data. Results: The study established that education, income level, costs associated with seeking care, distance and time taken to travel were significantly associated with maternity healthcare services utilisation. Quality of service, staff attitude and women’s autonomy showed consistent significant association with maternal health care utilisation. Conclusions: The study concludes that; costs of treatment, distance and time, income level, staff attitude and women’s autonomy were critical in determining women utilisation of maternity care services. Recommendation: As an outcome of this research, best practice framework has been developed. The framework presents a coherent and systematic approach for achieving sustainable MH by providing a roadmap for instituting measures at the policy, health facility, community and at the individual levels, taking into account factors that are likely to promote or impede the achievement of sustainable MH

The impact of social support on postpartum depression in Asia: A systematic literature review

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major public health problem. Consolidated evidence of the impact of social support on PPD has been well documented especially, in high-income countries. There is no recent comprehensively synthesized evidence of the same solely concentrated in the Asian continent. Amis: This review aimed to identify the impact of social support on PPD in Asian countries from the current available evidence. Methods: An electronic database search of CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, and MEDLINE from 2012 to 2022 was conducted according to the PRISMA statement through September 2022. Disease search terms included “Postpartum depression”, “postnatal depression”, “perinatal depression”, “peripartum depression”. Results: The prevalence of PPD ranged from 3.9% in Turkey to 67.3% in Iran. The study demonstrated the importance of social support in reducing the risk of PPD, especially from partners. Immigrant women had a higher prevalence of PPD than local citizens. The study demonstrated that postpartum cultural practices buffered for PPD by giving adequate support and care. The negative sides of these practices were evident in the studies that mentioned women's relationships with their mothers-in-law. Conclusions: The prevalence of PPD and cultural practices differ across the Asian continent. Social support, especially from close relatives is a protective factor against PPD. Health professionals should be able to provide informational support to new mothers and their families. Postpartum cultural practices can either increase or decrease PPD risk depending on whom they stay with

Challenges of maternal and prenatal care in Nigeria

Background and aim: Evidence in the literature indicates that maternal health care by a skilled birth attendant is one of the key strategies for maternal survival. However, the rate of maternity care utilization and reduction of maternal death is very low in Nigeria. This study was designed to explored factors influencing women utilization of maternal and prenatal care in Nigeria. Hence, the need to understand factors that serves as barriers to accessing maternal and prenatal care in Nigeria using the Socio-ecological Model (SEM). Methods: A mixed method was employed for this study. Data collection used questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Questionnaires were distributed to 330 respondents of which 318 of them were retrieved and qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted for 6 participants. The study was conducted in one of the tertiary health facilities in Nigeria, amongst mothers aged 15-45 years. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in analyzing the quantitative data whilst a qualitative content analysis was done for the qualitative data. Results: The study established that education, income level, costs associated with seeking care, distance and time taken to travel were significantly associated with maternity health care services utilization. The study concludes that; costs of treatment, distance and time, income level, staff attitude and women’s autonomy were critical in determining women utilization of maternity care services

Perceived barriers to whistle blowing in healthcare amongst healthcare professionals- An Integrative Review

Whistleblowing is a procedure where an existing or past participant of an establishment reveals actions and practices believed to be illegal, immoral, or corrupt, by individuals who can influence change. Whistleblowing is an important means of recognising quality and safety matters in the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to undergo a literature review exploring perceived barriers of whistleblowing in healthcare among healthcare professionals of all grades and the possible influences on the whistle-blower. An integrative review of both quantitative and qualitative studies published between 2000 and 2018 was undertaken using the following databases. CINAHL Plus, Embase, Google Scholar, Medline, and Scopus. The primary search terms were ‘whistleblowing’ and ‘barriers to whistleblowing’. The quality of the included studies was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme criteria. Prisma flow diagram for quality appraisal and review was utilised. Ten peer-reviewed articles were included. Included papers were analysed using constant comparative analysis. The review identified three broad themes (cultural, Organisational, and individual) factors as having a significant influence on whistleblowing reporting among healthcare professionals This study points out that fear is predominantly an existing barrier causing individuals to hesitate to report wrongdoing in care and further highlights the significance of increasing ethos of trust and honesty within healthcare to uphold the human rights of patient

Exploring the challenges faced by health care professionals working with people living with dementia amid COVID-19 pandemic in the English West Midlands region

Context: The challenges faced by health care professionals working with people living with dementia amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the English West Midlands region. Objective: This study explored the challenges faced by health care professionals working with people living with dementia amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study utilised an in-depth qualitative study guided by a phenomenological approach. The participants included 30 (n = 30) health and social care professionals who were working in care homes with people living with dementia. In-depth interviews were used to collect data through online platforms, including Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams. A thematic approach was used to analyse the data. Findings: The study found that challenges such as enforcing social distancing, communication, increased anxiety and restlessness, safeguarding dilemmas, safe staffing, and emotional labour affected health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Limitations: This research was only carried out in the Midlands. Research encompassing other regions in the UK will be ideal to enable comparisons of different regions. Implications for practice: In the future, there is a need to monitor all admissions coming into the care home to make sure that they are not infected by the virus, as this will safeguard vulnerable residents in the care home. Also, the provision of adequate staffing in dementia care homes to manage and enforce all safeguarding protocols and regulations to make sure that the vulnerable people they look after are adequately protected is crucial in the future. Support and guidance that is relevant to people living with dementia should be made available, especially during a pandemic

Exploring enablers of sexually transmitted infections among illegal gold miners in the midlands region of Zimbabwe

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces by far the highest rate of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Illegal mineworkers are considered at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Men are generally not receptive to health promotion messages.Methods: This study explored the enablers of sexually transmitted infections. The study utilized a qualitative approach. A total of 40 participants were recruited. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Zimbabwe, like any other country in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, has been affected by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, because of poor sexual health education.Results: The study found that the enablers of STIs included poor sexual health knowledge, substance misuse, prolonged stay from family, stigma, lack of entertainment, cultural status, and poor sexual health services.Conclusions: STIs among illegal gold miners is a public health concern that needs urgent attention in many developing countries

An exploration of the factors affecting the utilization of family planning services among youth (18-24 years) at community level in rural Budaka district, Uganda

Background: There is an increased number of young people engaging in early sexual relationships worldwide. Furthermore, statistics for early pregnancy among young people has also increased especially in low and middle-income countries. This has health implications for both the parents and the baby. High uptake in family planning contraception among the young people can reduce early pregnancy and subsequent negative health outcomes on the young parents and the baby. This study was set to explore the factors influencing the uptake of family planning contraceptive services among young people (18-24 years) at community level in rural Budaka district, Uganda. Method: The study utilised an explorative qualitative approach. Eight focus group discussion were conducted followed by sixteen one to one follow up semi-structured interviews with young people. Each focus group comprised of 10 participants (N=80). Sixteen one to one follow up interviews were meant to further explore issues raised in the focus groups (N=16). A thematic approach underpinned by the four phases of The Silences Framework (TSF) was used to analyse the data. Results: The study found out that religion, partner resistance; perceived loss of libido, perceived barren, long waiting time and distance from the health facility, lack of privacy/confidentiality, excessive menstrual bleeding, cancer and fear of having disabled babies, limited the utilisation of family planning contraceptive services while contraception as HIV prevention and child spacing encouraged young people to use family planning contraceptive services. Conclusion: There is need for a culturally orientated community-based contraceptive health promotion approach to increase the uptake of family planning contraception services among young people