Knowledge and Perception of Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination Among Female Undergraduates in Lagos State University, Nigeria (Published)
Tetanus toxoid vaccine prevents tetanus infection and help to boost the immune response to other vaccines. An adequately immunized woman against tetanus is able to transfer antibodies to her unborn baby which ultimately prevents the disease from occurring in her child during the early infancy period. This study aimed at assessing knowledge and perception of tetanus toxoid vaccination among female undergraduate students in Lagos State University, Ojo. A Descriptive-Cross sectional design was adopted in this study as self-structured questionnaire was used in collecting data from 233 respondents. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 26. Frequency tables and percentages was used for the descriptive analysis of the study while Chi-Square was used to test for significant relationship between variables at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that participants had poor knowledge about tetanus toxoid vaccination, with misconceptions about its administration and timing, but held a generally satisfactory perception of the vaccine, rejecting myths about its cost and effects. Less than half had received the vaccine, and many had not completed the full schedule, while a significant relationship was observed between their level of knowledge and perception of the vaccine. The study concludes that while participants have a satisfactory perception of tetanus toxoid vaccination, their knowledge is poor, with less than half having received the vaccine, and there is a significant relationship between knowledge and perception. It was therefore recommended among others that there should be development and implementation of educational campaigns aimed at female undergraduate students to enhance their knowledge, perception and utilization of tetanus toxoid vaccination.
Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Utilization, tetanus toxoid, undergraduate students
Perception and Experience of Pregnant Women Toward Midwife-Led Perinatal Care in Abua-Odual Health Facilities, Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
Globally, the obstetrician-led and the midwife care are the two skilled science-based maternity care models available for pregnant women. Midwife-led care is maternal and children healthcare approach in which the midwife takes the lead role in planning, organizing, and providing perinatal care to pregnant women. This study examined pregnant women’s perception and experience toward midwife-led perinated care in health facilities in Abua-Odual, Rivers State, Nigeria. This study adopted the interpretive phenomenology design. The study was conducted at Five (5) health facilities in Abua-Odual. A convenience sample of 30 percent women completed the study. In-depth interview were done using a non-structured interview guide. Collected data were analyzed using the Hsieh and Shannon s 5-step systematic content analysis technique. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Port Harcourt Institutional Review Board. The six themes that emerged under perception were: affordability of midwifery services, personalized midwife-client relationship, empowerment of women to make decision, improved continuum of care, improved women-centered care, and improved satisfaction of care. The respondents reported positive experiences and showed a willingness to receive midwifery-led perinatal care. The study revealed that women were satisfied with the financial cost of midwifery services, appreciated the midwifes expertise in providing maternity care, acknowledge the personalized relationship with the midwife, and shared that they were empowered to make decision about their health and wellbeing. This study recommends more research in this subject matter to enhance the delivery of women-friendly maternity care.
Keywords: Experiences, Perception, midwife-led care, phenomenology, pregnancy
Effect of A Nurse-Led Interactive Education On Perception of Disease Risk Among Nurses in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos (Published)
This research examines the influence of nurses’ perceptions of the risk associated with COVID-19 on public health outcomes, with a specific emphasis on LASUTH, a vital healthcare referral centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The study utilises a quasi-experimental pre-/post-test approach to evaluate the efficacy of nurse-led interactive education in influencing nurses’ perceptions of COVID-19 risk. The cohort included 527 nurses from LASUTH. The data was gathered by a validated questionnaire, whereas the intervention consisted of a nurse-led interactive training session. The statistical analyses, both descriptive and inferential, were performed using SPSS version 25. The results demonstrate changes in nurses’ views after the intervention. At first, 6.8% of individuals held negative impressions, which subsequently rose to 10.2%. The percentage of fair opinions declined from 27.1% to 20.3%, whilst the percentage of excellent perceptions saw a little rise from 66.1% to 69.5%. The average perception score reduced from 13.2±3.47 to 12.5±3.76, indicating a rise in awareness and changed attitudes after the intervention. The results indicate a reduction in the level of intense anxiety towards the virus, from 27.1% to 22%. There is also an increased level of worry over mortality, as well as a greater recognition of the need of preventative actions. The intervention significantly altered the nurses’ sense of danger. The results also verified a substantial disparity (p < 0.05) in the perceptions before and after the intervention, so providing evidence to reject the null hypothesis. This research highlights the efficacy of treatments led by nurses in altering perceptions of COVID-19 risks, offering valuable information for public health initiatives and interventions.
Keywords: Nurses, Perception, disease risk, nurse-led interactive education
Perception of Mothers on Factors Contributing to Puerperal Sepsis in Selected Government Hospital in Lagos State (Published)
Puerperal sepsis is a bacterial infection of the genitourinary tract that occurs after delivery or a miscarriage. In a particular Lagos State government hospital, the study examined how mothers felt about the causes of puerperal sepsis. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data for the cross-sectional design of the study. The mothers’ questionnaires, numbering 210 altogether, were collected and analysed with SPSS 22.0. Results indicated that whereas 42.4% of women had a high awareness of puerperal sepsis, 59.0% were unaware of it. Sixty-three percent of respondents also identified low levels of education, ignorance, and living in rural areas as important reasons. In addition, 89% found that the manner of birth was a factor, and 87.1% found that infrequent antenatal clinic attendance was a factor. Low immunity was cited by 64.3% of respondents, whereas 96% cited the location of birth as a contributor to puerperal sepsis. All p-values for tests of correlation between the two sets of variables (factors and perception) were significantly lower than 0.05. Overall, most mothers only had a hazy understanding of what puerperal sepsis entailed. The stigma surrounding puerperal sepsis strongly correlates with socioeconomic standing. Puerperal sepsis awareness was significantly influenced by factors such as birth location, delivery method, and lack of antenatal clinic attendance. Puerperal sepsis risk variables were significantly correlated with mothers’ reports of experiencing the condition. The perception of puerperal sepsis among mothers continues to be low; thus, the obstetrics and gynaecological healthcare system should make it a matter of utmost importance to teach pregnant women about it so that their perception about it would have improved before to delivery. Puerperal sepsis is an infection that occurs after childbirth and can lead to serious complications.
Keywords: Factors, Mothers, Perception, government hospital, puerperal sepsis
Perception and Practice of Midwife-Led Model of Care among Skilled Birth Attendants in Selected Health Facilities in a Southern State in Nigeria (Published)
Globally, there is noticeable threat to midwifery practice because of limited autonomy of midwives in some settings. The situation is not different in Nigeria, despite the evidence that access to midwife-led care is the most important factor in achieving improved outcomes in maternal and newborn health. It is, therefore, imperative to determine the perception and practice of midwife-led care among skilled birth attendants in selected health facilities in a southern State in Nigeria. Following ethical approval, a mixed method design was undertaken to study a convenience sample of 125 skilled birth attendants from health facilities in four randomly-selected local government areas of the State. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained through questionnaire and focus group discussions respectively. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 18 and qualitative data were manually analysed. Results showed that 79.2% had knowledge; 56% exhibited poor practice of midwife-led care. There was statistically significant association between knowledge and practice of midwife-led care at 0.05 level of significance with 1 degree of freedom. Also there was a statistically significant relationship between knowledge and acceptance of midwife-led care at 0.05 level of significance with 123 degrees of freedom. Qualitative data corroborated the quantitative data. Gaps were revealed in the knowledge/perception and practice of midwife-led care in this setting. These have implications for continuing education for midwives and policy formulation towards strengthening midwifery for enhanced maternal and newborn outcomes.
Keywords: Midwife-led model, Perception, Skilled birth attendants, practice