Perception

Health Care Worker Perception on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Service Delivery among Health Care Workers in South-East Nigeria (Published)

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention among health care workers (HCWs) remains a key issue. Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus endangers public health and kills a large number of individuals, including medical staff. There is now a genuine danger of HIV transmission among HCWs during work exposure. This study aims to assess health care worker perception on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and service delivery among health care workers in South-East Nigeria. Descriptive cross sectional study design using multistage sampling techniques was used to select four hundred respondents. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 25.0. Mean scores were generated for the major outcome variables of knowledge, attitude and practice of immunization schedule. P value was assumed significant at values less than 0.05. The findings of this study shows that 218 (54.5%) were male and 182 (45.5%) were female, 312 (78.0%) have good knowledge , 109 (27.3%) had history of occupational exposure to HIV, 234 (58.5%) had high, 85 (21.3%) had moderate and 81 (20.3%) had low level of exposure to occupational HIV, socio demographic variable based on age, religion, tribe, marital status and tear of practice shows a significant association with perceived level of exposure to occupational HIV at (ꭓ²=45.511, p=0.000), (ꭓ²=67.189, p=0.000), (ꭓ²=692.874, p=0.000), (ꭓ²=35.331, p=0.000) and (ꭓ²=34.899, p=0.000) respectively as p<0.05 and non-significant association with gender of the respondents at p<0.05. The findings from this study shows that there is a high level of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among health care workers in the study area, larger proportion perceived level of exposure to occupational HIV and at significant risk of acquiring occupational infections, even though majority were satisfied with service delivery. Health authorities in the study area need to improve the training of HCWs and provision of infection prevention equipment.

Keywords: HIV, Perception, Prophylaxis, Service delivery, health care worker

Nursing Students’ Perception of Facilitators, Barriers and Value of Computer-Based Test for Licensure Examination in Akwa-Ibom (Published)

Computer-based test (CBT) refers to delivery assessment with computer as an alternative to using pen and paper method. CBT has been recognised as a solution to the entire globe’s greatest testing challenges. However, in spite of the benefits, its full adoption and implementation for examinations by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Nigeria is emerging. The study aimed at assessing Nursing Students’ perception of the facilitators, barriers and value of Computer-Based Test for licensure examinations in Akwa- Ibom. A descriptive design was used for the research.  Three research questions and hypotheses were developed to guide the study. Sample size consisted of 218 (n1=139, n2=79) participant’s final year who had used CBT during their examinations. Data were collected through personal administration of self-developed questionnaire to the respondents Data obtained were compiled, coded and entered into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Means and standard deviation were used as descriptive statistics to analyse the research questions, while the hypotheses were tested using t-test. Findings revealed that n1- 65.97% and n2-68.9% agreed that adequate training facilitates Computer-Based Test. 65.69% and 69.91% respectively agreed that interruption of power supply is a barrier to CBT.65.76% and 66.08% agreed that points cannot be expressed well in CBT.  Results showed that the p-value were greater than 0.05 level of significance, the null hypotheses were accepted. Nursing Students had high perception of facilitators, agreed that there are barriers in the use of Computer-Based Test, and they had an agreed value of Computer-Based Test for licensure examinations in Akwa –Ibom

Keywords: Barriers, Computer Based Test, Nursing Students, Perception, facilitators, value

Perception and Uptake of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test among Caregivers of Under-Five in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria (Published)

The launch of RDT is hoped to enable in reducing the rate of presumptive treatment of malaria. However, simply making RDTs available has not led to high uptake of the test, in light of this, it is crucial to understand the perception of RDT and its uptake among caregivers concerning the treatment of malaria in under five children, therefore the aim of the study was to determine the perception and uptake of rapid diagnostic test in the treatment of malaria among care givers of under five children in Owerri West Local Government. Descriptive study was employed and a multi stage cluster and systematic sampling techniques was used to select 420 respondents in the LGA. The Instrument for data collection was structured pre- tested questionnaire which was administered by trained researcher after gaining informed consent from the respondents. Results of the study showed that more respondents were aged 30 -49 years 161 (38.3%), females 268 (63.8%), Married 216 (51.4%), Primary education 126 (63.8%) and civil servant was 196 (46%) respectively. Perception of malaria RDT showed that 175 (41.7%) respondents were of the opinion that mRDT was useful, 102 (24.3%) not useful, 101 (24%) dangerous while 16 (2.8%) felt it was not good. Malaria RDT uptake indicated that majority of the respondents 223 (53.1%) did not know about RDT and 215 (51.2%) did not carry out mRDT test. 300 (73.8%) indicated that malaria rapid diagnostic test is not very useful and 373 (88.8%) of caregivers were of the opinion that mRDTs w ere expensive. From the study it is evident that the perception of malaria rapid diagnostic is negative and low, therefore sensitization of the caregivers about mRDTs will be of benefit.

Keywords: Imo State, Malaria, Nigeria, Perception, Uptake, under five