Train-the-trainers intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Background: The first case of COVID-19 in Nigeria was reported on February 27, 2020, and over time, spread across the country leading to many healthcare worker infections. The risk of transmission of COVID-19 within healthcare facilities makes it necessary to establish infection prevention and control measures. The World Health Organisation supported the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to conduct a train-the-trainers workshop on infection prevention and control for key healthcare workers across Nigeria. Aim/Objectives: This study aims to describe the process and results of train-the-trainers as an intervention for national capacity building in infection prevention and control for COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Nigeria. Methods: Eight-hour sessions were held over three days with face-to-face instruction and practical hands-on experience in April 2020. A total of 61 healthcare workers participated across the six geographic zones of Nigeria: North Central, North East, North West, South West, South East, and South South. The training included slide presentations, case-based scenarios, and practical hands-on sessions with plenary discussions. Pre- and post-test assessments were used to evaluate knowledge of COVID-19, triage, and infection prevention and control among healthcare workers. Finding/Results: 69 % (42) of the participants were male 31 % (19) were female, and the majority (67 %) were medical doctors. Others attending were nurses or health administrators. Of the 70 % (26) of the states with existing infection prevention and control structures within the COVID emergency response, only 40 % were functional. The average percentage of pre-test and post-test scores were 60.8 ± 13.4 and 67.8 ± 9 0.3 respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p > 0.001) in trainee knowledge. Additionally, 70 % of participants evaluated the training workshop as "satisfactory" or higher in training format, relevance for daily clinical work, active participation, learning new concepts, and logistics. Conclusion: Nationwide infection prevention and control training is feasible during a national health crisis. Infection prevention and control is cardinal in the containment of epidemic-prone diseases like COVID-19 and is invaluable in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in healthcare settings.

Occupational Hand Dermatitis amongst Cassava Processors in Rural Communities in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hand dermatitis (HD) is an inflammatory disorder of the hand. Agricultural industries (farming) have been reported as one of the leading occupation predisposing workers to health risks. Practices such as dumping cassava peels in farm environment, removal of heaps of peels, soaking of cassava and clearing of ditches have been identified as potentially harmful. These processes, which are wet works, are often done with bare hands predisposing cassava processors to HD. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, predisposing factors and characteristics of HD amongst cassava processors in some rural communities in Southwest Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional prospective study involving females engaged in farming and processing of raw cassava into 'garri' meal using the traditional methods. Four hundred and twenty-six female cassava processors were included. The questionnaire used was an adaptation of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002) which is used to document work related skin diseases of the hand and forehand, and exposures to environmental factor. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.7 years and age range 13 - 70 years. Fifty-seven (13.4%) participants presented with HD within 12 months. Itching was the most common symptoms reported by 44 (10.3%) participants followed by pain 26 (6.1%) and small bumps 23 (4.9%) . The palmar surface of the right hand was most affected. None of the participants who use gloves regularly reported any symptoms of HD. CONCLUSION: Cassava processors have been shown to be at potential risk of occupational HD; hence, health education and use of protective materials are important measures for prevention.

CONTEXTE: La dermatite des mains (DH) est un trouble inflammatoire de la main. Les industries agricoles (agriculture) ont été signalées comme l'une des principales professions prédisposant les travailleurs à des risques pour la santé. Des pratiques telles que le déversement des épluchures de manioc dans l'environnement agricole, l'enlèvement des tas d'épluchures, le trempage du manioc et le curage des fossés ont été identifiées comme potentiellement dangereuses. Ces processus, qui sont des travaux humides, sont souvent effectués à mains nues, ce qui prédispose les transformateurs de manioc aux HD. OBJECTIFS: Cette étude visait à déterminer la prévalence, les facteurs de prédisposition et les caractéristiques de la DH chez les transformateurs de manioc dans certaines communautés rurales du sud-ouest du Nigeria. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale prospective impliquant des femmes engagées dans l'agriculture et la transformation du manioc brut en farine 'garri' en utilisant les méthodes traditionnelles. Le questionnaire utilisé était une adaptation du Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2002). RÉSULTATS: Quatre cent vingt-six femmes transformatrices de manioc ont été incluses. L'âge moyen était de 38,7 ans et la fourchette d'âge de 13 à 70 ans. Cinquante-sept (13,4 %) participantes ont présenté une DH dans les 12 mois. Les démangeaisons étaient les symptômes les plus courants rapportés par 44 participants, suivis par la douleur (26) et les petites bosses (23). La surface palmaire de la main droite était la plus touchée. Aucun des participants qui utilisent régulièrement des gants n'a signalé de symptômes de MH. CONCLUSION: Il a été démontré que les transformateurs de manioc sont exposés à un risque potentiel de MH professionnelle ; par conséquent, l'éducation sanitaire et l'utilisation de matériaux de protection sont des mesures importantes pour la prévention. Mots clés: Dermatite des mains, Manioc (garri), Agriculture, Profession, Transformateurs de manioc, Épluchures de manioc, Mains nues, Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ­2002).

What are the Predictors of Burn out in Nigerian Bankers? A Case Study of Bankers in Enugu, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries such as Nigeria, due to globalization and the deteriorating economy, workers are especially vulnerable to burnout. The pressure on bank employees from tight deadlines and unrealistic targets may predispose them to burnout. Burnout has been shown to occur in workers because of failure to cope with occupational stress, especially in the banking sector which requires intensive communication and interaction with service recipients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of occupational burnout in bankers in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among 370 Bankers in Enugu state, Nigeria. The Copenhagen burnout inventory was used to assess personal, work and clientrelated burnout. RESULTS: Majority of the bankers had all three components of burnout. Client related burnout was experienced more among female bankers (P=0.022), those that had spent five years or less on the job (P=0.021), bankers aged thirty-five years or less (P=0.013) and bankers who were married (P=0.018).Only bankers that had spent less than five years on the job (P=0.037) experienced personal burnout and no factor was found to be associated with work related burnout. Predictors of client-related burnout were age of 35 years or less, work experience of 5 years or less and being female. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of burnout is very high among the bankers that were studied. The management of these banks should create measures aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to burnout.

Descriptive epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 in Nigeria, 27 February-6 June 2020.

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria with a view of generating evidence to enhance planning and response strategies. A national surveillance dataset between 27 February and 6 June 2020 was retrospectively analysed, with confirmatory testing for COVID-19 done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence (CI) and case fatality (CF). A total of 40 926 persons (67% of total 60 839) had complete records of RT-PCR test across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, 12 289 (30.0%) of whom were confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those confirmed cases, 3467 (28.2%) had complete records of clinical outcome (alive or dead), 342 (9.9%) of which died. The overall CI and CF were 5.6 per 100 000 population and 2.8%, respectively. The highest proportion of COVID-19 cases and deaths were recorded in persons aged 31-40 years (25.5%) and 61-70 years (26.6%), respectively; and males accounted for a higher proportion of confirmed cases (65.8%) and deaths (79.0%). Sixty-six per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic at diagnosis. In conclusion, this paper has provided an insight into the early epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which could be useful for contextualising public health planning.

Prevalence of psychological workplace violence among employees of a public tertiary health facility in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Psychological violence is the most common form of workplace violence (WPV) that can affect job performance and health of the workers. AIMS: This study sought to determine the prevalence of psychological WPV among employees working in a tertiary health institution in a South-eastern state of Nigeria. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study done in 2018 among healthcare workers at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu State using a pretested self-administered questionnaire adapted from Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study Questionnaire. Proportionate sampling method was used to select 412 respondents. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 using Chi-square test of significance and P value set at 0.05. RESULTS: Prevalence of psychological violence among the participants was 49.7%. Verbal abuse was the most form of psychological violence experienced 168 (40.8%) followed by bullying 29 (7.0%) while sexual abuse was reported by 8 (1.9%). Majority 114 (55.6%) of the perpetrators of the psychological violence were patient's relative, whereas 48 (23.4%) were staff members. In response to the violence, 58 (28.6%) of the healthcare workers took no action, while only 2 (1%) completed incident/accident form. Bullying was statistically significantly higher in healthcare workers who have spent less than 10 years (χ2 = 3.978 P = 0.046). There was a significant association between verbal abuse and frequent interaction with patients (χ2 = 4.757, P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the prevalence of psychological WPV was high among healthcare workers in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. Therefore, there is need for the hospital management to develop policy interventions specific to psychological WPV.