Out of hospital emergency care in Nigeria: A narrative review.

Introduction: Out of Hospital Emergency Care (OHEC) in Nigeria, the most populous country with the highest GDP in Africa, is considered inadequate. A better understanding of the current state of OHEC is essential to address the country's unique challenges and offer potential solutions. Objectives: This paper sought to identify gaps, barriers, and facilitators in implementing an OHEC model in Nigeria and provide recommendations for improvement. Methods: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Google Scholar, using combinations of "emergency medical care" ('FRC,' 'PHC,' and 'EMS') OR prehospital care OR emergency training' AND 'Nigeria.' We included papers that described OHEC in Nigeria and were published in English. Of the initial 73 papers, those that met our inclusion criteria and those obtained after examination of reference lists comprised the 20 papers that contributed to our final review. Two authors independently reviewed all the papers, extracted data relevant to our objectives and performed a content analysis. All authors reviewed, discussed, and refined the proposed recommendations. Key recommendations: For OHEC to meet the needs of Nigerians and achieve international standards, the following challenges need to be addressed: harmful cultural practices, inadequate training of citizens in the provision of first aid or of professionals that provide prehospital care, lack of proper infrastructure, poor communication, absent policy, and poor funding. Based on the available literature, this paper proposes key recommendations to improve OHEC with the hope of improving the standards of living. The federal government should provide general oversight, but this will require political will on the part of the country's leadership and the provision of adequate funding.

Contextual interpretation of COVID-19 pandemic among public space users in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria: An ethnographic review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of lives and has become a social problem as it continues to spread widely through the continuous interactions of people in public spaces where they earn a living. Curbing the spread of COVID-19 requires restrictions in these public spaces, however, the compliance to these measures depends largely on the understanding and interpretations of COVID 19 by users of these public spaces. This study examined the contextual interpretations of public space users about COVID-19 prevention in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State. The study was a rapid ethnographic survey in selected public spaces (markets and commercial motor parks) in Ibadan metropolis. Data were collected through participant observation, key informant interviews (3 females; 3 males) and in-depth interviews (30) with, traders, head porters, clients/buyers and commercial vehicle drivers in these public spaces. Interviews conducted were transcribed, sorted into themes using Atlas-ti 7.5.7 and subjected to interpretive-content analysis. Findings revealed that some respondents felt COVID-19 was brought into Nigeria by rich frequent global voyagers, others felt it was through "uncultured" sexual life or wrath of God. Some also doubted the existence of the disease and many of the respondents perceived COVID-19 as a disease reported by the government or a political propaganda to siphon funds. The users of the public spaces in Ibadan Metropolis have variegated perception about the existence and severity of this rapidly spreading virus and this has grave implications for COVID-19 control in the State. Thus, regular interaction with public space users are essential for control efforts.

Reasons for nonurgent pediatric emergency department visits: perceptions of health care providers and caregivers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the most important reasons for pediatric nonurgent (NU) emergency department (ED) visits as perceived by caregivers, primary care pediatricians (PCPs), and ED personnel and to assess the differences among these 3 groups in perceived reasons and solutions to NUED visits. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional survey, with self-administered questionnaires given to caregivers, PCPs, and ED personnel. Responders were asked to rank reasons for NUED visits in order of perceived importance. Opinions on NUED use reduction strategies were also queried. RESULTS: Although almost 80% of PCPs expected to be called by caregivers before ED visits, fewer than 30% of caregivers were aware of this expectation. The most important reasons for NUED visits from the caregivers' perspective were need for medical attention outside PCP working hours, lack of health insurance, and better hospitality in the ED. For PCPs and ED personnel, the most important reason was the caregivers' lack of knowledge on what constitutes a true emergency. More than 70% of ED personnel and PCPs recommended caregiver education as the solution to NUED visits. Caregivers were more likely to recommend more PCPs with longer working hours (41%) and more EDs (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Misconceptions exist among caregivers, PCPs, and ED personnel on NUED visits. Our findings underscore the need to foster understanding and provide concrete areas for intervention.