RESUMO
Background: Infectious disease treatment and prevention are threatened by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally. The knowledge and attitudes of doctors regarding AMR and the responsible use of antibiotics are critical to improving prescribing behaviours and mitigating the danger that AMR poses. This study aims to assess the knowledge attitudes and practices of doctors in Nigeria regarding AMR. Methodology: This was an online survey of doctors in Nigeria. A 31-item self-administered questionnaire was distributed via an online forum for doctors. The questionnaire consisted of knowledge, attitudes, and practices sections. Demographic and practice data were also collected from respondents. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS and were mainly descriptive. Bivariate correlation was used to determine the relationship between knowledge attitudes and practices. Results: Two hundred and fifty -two doctors completed the survey. There were 105 (42%) resident doctors who participated in the study. Good knowledge and fair knowledge of AMR were shown by 95(41%) and 146(58%) doctors, respectively. There were few respondents with good attitudes and practices: 40 (16%) and 16 (6%), respectively. A large proportion of respondents had fair attitudes and practices -204(81%) and 185(73%) respectively. The relationship between practice, knowledge, and attitude was negligible. (r<1, p>0.05). Conclusion: Most doctors in this study showed fair to good knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding AMR. Efforts to reduce the incidence of AMR should leverage the perceptions and behaviours of these healthcare workers.
RESUMO
Lassa fever (LF) outbreaks in Nigeria mostly occur in rural areas and during the dry season, peaking between December through February. Fever is a cardinal presenting feature among the myriad manifestations of LF. Thirty four patients with clinical diagnosis of LF were analyzed. However, only 11 (32%) LASV infections were confirmed by RT-PCR. The 2016 LF outbreak showed a preferential urban occurrence and a high case fatality. Fever (≥38°C) was not detected in over a fourth of the patients at the time of examination. Bleeding diathesis was the most common presentation while abdominal pain and headache were present in more than half of the confirmed cases. Changes in the geographical distribution and clinical presentation may have implications for disease control efforts and the risk of transmission, both locally and internationally. In order to guide interventions, public health authorities should be aware that the epidemic patterns may be changing.