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Experience of violence, coping and support for nurses working in acute psychiatric wards
Get PDFBackground: Acute psychiatric wards are stressful working environments because of the nature of the mental illness of patients admitted. These patients present with a variety of complex psychiatric problems and social control that require skilled and competent nurses to manage them. The shortage of nurses, especially with advanced psychiatric qualifications or necessary experience, may create challenges for nurses as they navigate this stressful working environment.Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe nurses’ experience of patient violence, coping strategies and received support whilst working in acute wards in psychiatric hospitals.Setting: This study was conducted in six acute wards of the three psychiatric hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa.Methods: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was conducted using semi-structured interviews to obtain data from 14 nurses working in acute wards in three psychiatric hospitals in the Western Cape.Results: Five themes were generated using thematic analysis: violence perceived to be ‘part of the job’, contributing factors to patient violence, physical and psychological effects on nurses, adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies and perceived support from stakeholders.Conclusion: Participants normalised patient violent behaviour as being part of the job to minimise the physical and psychological effects of the traumatic experience. Adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies were used to cope with the traumatic experiences of being assaulted by patients. Recommendations allude to practising self-care and attendance of training in the management of aggressive patients for nurses, to enhance a variety of adaptivecoping strategies
Indigenisation of orchestral music in Ghana: the Pan-African Orchestra in perspective
No full textThis article investigates the indigenisation of Western orchestral music in Ghana by focusing on the Pan-African Orchestra (PAO), founded by Nana Danso Abiam in 1988. The factors that influenced the establishment of the PAO and its approaches to indigenisation are examined. Primary research data consist of interview sessions with Abiam, members of the PAO, its patrons, as well as selected cultural officers of the orchestra. Secondary sources consulted include published and unpublished documents, recordings of performances and relevant sheet music. It is concluded that the PAO’s purposeful attempts to combine different indigenous African elements and/or approaches have strengthened notions of the indigenisation of orchestral music in Ghana, which may be linked to the cultural reengineering efforts of Kwame Nkrumah, political revolutionary and former president of Ghana
Seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Sheep and Goats and associated Risk Factors
No full textA cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted among flocks of sheep and goats in three agricultural zones of Borno State. Seven hundred sixty- eight small ruminants (384 sheep and goats each) of both sexes (282 males and 486 females) of different age groups from 90 flocks were randomly selected for blood collection and related epidemiological data. A commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA; I.D. Vet) was used to test the sera samples for the presence of both phases I and II antibodies against Coxiella burnetii infections. The overall seroprevalence in sheep and goats was 10.9% (44/384) and 12.0% (46/384). There was no statistically significant association between the two species of the animals tested and the infection rates of coxiellosis (P = 0.734, OR= 0.924, 95% CI= 0.578–1.408). Bivariate analysis showed that female animals of all species tested were more seropositive for antibodies to Coxiella burnetii than males. There was a statistically significant association between the sex of both sheep and goats tested (P = 0.032, OR = 0.439, 95% CI = 0.204–0.9470) and (P = 0.022, OR = 0.434, 95% CI = 0.208–0.903). Age of sheep and goats were not statistically significant (P = 0.199, OR = 0.577, 95% CI = 0.247–1.346), (P = 0.304, OR = 0.670, 95% CI = 0.311–1.444. There was no statistically significant association between the breeds of sheep and goats tested (P= 0.861, OR= 0.787, 95% CI= 0.315–1.964), and (P= 0.742, OR= 0.736, 95% CI= 0.264– 2.050). The study indicates that seroprevalence of coxiellosis was high in the studied small ruminant population, particularly among female sheep and goats, and can be considered a potential risk for both susceptible animals and humans in the study area. 
Prevalence of Intestinal and Urinary Helminth Parasite Infections among Residents of Communities around Lake Alau, Maiduguri
No full textIntestinal and urinary helminth infections affect up to a quarter of the world’s population, with the potential of causing significant public health and economic burden. The occurrence of helminth parasites in stool and urine of residents, and water and soil samples of some communities around Lake Alau, Maiduguri, Nigeria was determined using direct microscopy, floatation and sedimentation techniques. A total of 349 (34.7%) residents were infected out of the 1,005 examined, consisting of 220 (21.9%) males and 129 (12.8%) females, with significant (p<0.05) variation based on gender. Similarly, the infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher among young individuals 197(19.6%) than the adults 152(15.1%). Among the ten communities /(Logajiri, Melari, Dumbari, Alau Limanti, Awa Isari, Limanti, Gaskeri, Attakeri, Chellomi and Gomari Karekǝri ) examined, the infection was significantly (p<0.05) highest at Gomari Karekǝri 57 (5.7%) and Alau Limanti 55(5.5%) and least at Gaskeri 19 (1.9%) and Chellomari 20 (2.0%). Intestinal parasites encountered consist of Ascaris lumbricoides 234 (23.3%), Trichuris trichiura 24 (2.4%), Strongyloides stercoralis 10 (1.0%), Schistosoma mansoni 8 (0.8%), and Taenia species 1 (0.1%) (p<0.05). Schistosoma haematobium 72 (7.2%) was the only helminth parasite recovered from urine samples examined. Environmental (water and soil) contamination with parasite stages was predominantly with pre-parasitic nematode larvae 50 (25%), eggs of Strongyloides stercoralis 50 (25%), Ascaris lumbricoides 30 (15%), Strongyle spp. 30 (15%) and cysts of protozoans; Entamoeba histolytica 30 (15%) and Giardia intestinalis 10 (5%). The results suggest that infection with intestinal and urinary parasites is common among the residents of the study area and that socio-cultural habits may favour the survival and transmission of these parasites in the area
Prevalence of Haemoparasites in Chickens Slaughtered at a Live Bird Market in Samaru Zaria, Nigeria
No full textThis study was carried out to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) slaughtered at the Samaru Live Bird market of Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A total of 100 blood samples were collected from male and female chickens at the point of slaughter. The samples were collected in heparinized sample bottles and transported to the Veterinary Protozoology Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria for analysis. Out of the 100 chickens sampled, 51% were males while the remaining 49% were females. Microscopic examination of the Giemsa-stained thin blood smear revealed an overall prevalence of haemoparasites to be 81%. Forty-nine (49%) percent of these were plasmodium species, while 27%, 21% and 3% of the haemoparasites detected were Aegyptianella, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon species respectively. With respect to sex, the prevalence was higher in cocks (55%) than in hens (45%). More studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of haemoparasites of chickens in different seasons of the year with the view of providing information that will enhance productivity in the poultry industry. 
A Case of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in an 11-year-old Argentine Mare
No full textExertional Rhabdomyolysis is an imbalance between the animal's diet and its workload, especially when on a high-grain diet. An 11-year-old Argentine mare weighing 360 Kg was presented with a complaint of pyrexia, anorexia, pointed stance and stiff gait, reluctance to move and trembling when compelled to walk. On physical examination, body condition score of 2.5/5, excessive sweating, stiff hind quarters, and reluctance to move were observed. On clinical examination, the animal showed tachypnea, congested ocular mucous membrane and a temperature of 38.9oC. Blood sample was taken for complete blood cell count and biochemical test. The result of haematological test was within normal range while the biochemical test revealed hypoglycemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia and hypokalemia. The levels of calcium, creatine kinase and bicarbonate were higher than the normal range. A diagnosis of azoturia was made based on history, clinical signs and laboratory test. The movement of the horse was restricted and it was treated with 0.6 mg/kg meloxicam daily for 5 days, 0.2mg/kg dexamethasone daily for 2 days, 12 ml of Vit ESe daily for 3 days and 60ml of Promin® daily for 3 days. The horse was given gentle walking exercise and low carbohydrate diet during the treatment period and normal function of the horse gradually returned 4 weeks after presentation. It was concluded that exertional rhabdomyolysis can be managed by administration of analgesic and antiinflammatory, restricted carbohydrate diet and limited exercise until muscle function returns to normal. 
Premarital genotype screening for sickle cell disease: knowledge gaps, perception and determinants of uptake among final year undergraduates of a tertiary institution in South-west Nigeria.
No full textBackground: Strategies involved in the prevention and management of sickle cell disease include premarital genotype screening and counselling, as well as efforts to increase the knowledge of the population about the condition.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study which assessed the knowledge of sickle cell disease and premarital genotype screening, attitudes towards screening and factors associated with uptake of premarital genotype screening among 326 final year students of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Results: Respondents were within the age range of 18-24 with a mean age of 23. The majority of the respondents had an AA genotype (68.71%). Only 15.95% of the respondents had good knowledge of sickle cell disease. The mean knowledge score was 14 out of 26, with a standard deviation of 4.31. 75.77% of the respondents had good knowledge of premarital genotype screening. 76.07% of the respondents had good attitudes toward premarital genotype screening. The mean attitude score was 9.5 out of 12, with a standard deviation of 2.15. Respondents’ current level of study (P=0.000) and marital status (P=0.042) were significantly associated with knowledge of sickle cell disease. There was a significant association between knowledge of sickle cell disease and knowledge of premarital genotype screening (Fisher’s P= 0.000). Knowledge of premarital genotype screening was significantly associated with respondents’ current level of study (P=0.004) and attitudes to premarital genotype screening (Fisher’s P= 0.000).
Conclusion: Significant knowledge gaps were identified in the study population. There is a need for continuous assessment of knowledge gaps and educational intervention to decrease the incidence of sickle cell disease
The Knowledge, Perception and Utilisation of E-Health among Health Workers in Benin City, Nigeria.
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to determine the perspective and utilization of e-Health services among healthcare workers in primary, secondary and tertiary health care centers in Benin city.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted among healthcare workers in Benin-City where the minimum sample size required for the study was calculated using the Cochrane formula (n= zpq2 /d2). Data was collected using an online semi structured questionnaire and data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 22 software with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 340 respondents participated in this study where the mean age was 31.5 ± 7.1 years and majority of the respondents 327 (96.2%) had good knowledge of eHealth where about two third 216 (63.5%) of the respondents had ever used eHealth services. Majority 308 (90.6%) of the healthcare workers highlighted non-availability of ICT facilities as a challenge to the implementation and utilization of eHealth services. Proposed solutions to the above challenges include government support/funding 206 (60.6%) and ICT education 186 (54.7%)
Conclusion: The lack of ICT facilities was stated as the main challenge to the implementation and utilization of eHealth services although majority of the respondents had good knowledge of eHealth. Proposed solutions to the challenge include government support/funding, free ICT education of health workers and Public Private Partnerships to support eHealth systems in health facilities
Assessment of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination: a cross-sectional study in Ibadan, Nigeri
No full textBackground:Vaccination has been described as the most critical tool to end the COVID-19 pandemic and to save lives and livelihoods. This study aimed to evaluate the spectrum of adverse events following immunization with the COVID-19 AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in Ibadan, south western Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study. Adults aged ≥ 18 years who had received the Astra-Zeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine at selected COVID-19 vaccination centres across three Local Government Areas in Ibadan, SW Nigeria were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire to determine the spectrum of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).
Results: We enrolled 369 adults; 179 males and 190 females, with a mean of age of 37.8 ±12.0 years. Three hundred and thirty two (90.0%) of the subjects experienced one or more AEFI. Of the total AEFIs reported, the most frequent were headache 225 (21.1%), fatigue/tiredness 186 (17.4%), pain at the injection site 99 (9.3%) and myalgia 97(9.1%). Nine in ten (96.4%) of these AEFIs occurred within 48 hours post-vaccination. Higher severity of adverse events score (p=0.049) and multiple AEFIs (p=0.01) were associated with the first dose of the vaccine. There were severe AEFI in 1.2 % (95% CI: 0.3-.9.0%) of the respondents. Presumed or confirmed COVID 19 infection before vaccination increased the odds of AEFI (OR 7.0, 95% CI: 1.8-27.8).
Conclusion: Our study showed a high frequency of AEFI among recipients of the Astra Zenecca/Oxford vaccine in Ibadan. Majority of the AEFIs are mild and self-limiting. Previous infection with COVID-19 appears to increase the risk of AEFI.