SARS CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Selected States of High and Low Disease Burden in Nigeria.

Importance: The global impact of COVID-19 has led to an increased need to continuously assess disease surveillance tools. The utility of SARS-CoV-2 serologic tools in determining immunity levels across different age groups and locations in helping to quickly assess the burden of COVID-19 with significant health policy implications is unknown. Objective: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with respect to the age group and sex of participants. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional survey of 4904 individuals across 12 states with high and low COVID-19 disease burden in Nigeria was carried out between June 29 and August 21, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for the detection of specific SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies, such as the nucleocapsid protein-NCP and spike protein S1. Interviewer-administered questionnaires provided information on participants' history of disease and associated risk factors. Results: A total of 4904 individuals participated in the study (3033 were female [61.8%]; mean [SD] age, 26.7 [6.51] years). A high seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (78.9%) was obtained. Seropositivity was consistent across the states surveyed, ranging from 69.8% in Lagos to 87.7% in Borno. There was no association between sex and seropositivity (female, 2414 [79.6%]; male, 1456 [77.8%]; P = .61); however, an association was noted between age and seropositivity, with the peak prevalence observed in participants aged 15 to 19 years (616 [83.6%]; P = .001). Similarly, loss of appetite (751 [82.3%]; P = .04) and smell (309 [84.4%]; P = .01) were associated with seropositivity. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, a high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was obtained among the study population during the low level of vaccination at the time of the survey. Thus, there is a need for both an efficacy and antibody neutralization test study to ascertain the efficacy of the antibody detected and the potential for herd immunity in Nigeria.

Teamwork in Health Care Services Delivery in Nigeria: A Mixed Methods Assessment of Perceptions and Lived Experiences of Pharmacists in a Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Lack of teamwork is the bane of weak and ineffective health care systems in many countries. This study examined the perceptions and lived experiences of pharmacists working in a Nigerian government-owned (public) multispecialty tertiary hospital regarding teamwork in their workplace. METHODS: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study using phenomenological approach of inquiry, was conducted among pharmacists with experience in multidisciplinary health care provision in a public tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Questionnaires with 16 close-ended questions based on a Likert scale, which scored from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5), were administered. The mean (M) scores were determined using SPSS Version 20; M ≥ 3.00 indicated agree, while M < 3.00 disagree. Subsequently, focus group discussions were conducted, and the audio recorded responses transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo 11. RESULTS: Some participants (50%) had worked for 5-10 years in the hospital's Department of Pharmacy, 25% (11-20 years), and 16.7% (21-30 years). Participants agreed that effective teamwork leads to positive patient outcomes (M = 3.67) and is in the public's interest (M = 4.25). However, they disagreed that their workplace supports teamwork (M = 2.33), effective interprofessional collaborative practices exist in the hospital (M = 1.08), and their remuneration reflects their worth to the organization (M = 2.33). Doctors' dominance and claim of ownership of patients, allied professionals' attitudes and ignorance of pharmacists' roles, salary disparity, poor communication, and defective leadership style among others were identified as impediments to teamwork. CONCLUSION: The hospital pharmacists demonstrated positive disposition towards teamwork, and agreed that effective teamwork would improve health care delivery. However, they identified some factors that hinder interprofessional teamwork in the hospital. Principles and practices of teamwork should be incorporated into the curriculum of each discipline; interdisciplinary collaborative practices, health system structure, institutional policies and leadership should be strengthened to enhance teamwork.