Background Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Poor knowledge among HCWs and inadequate infection control practices may lead to the increased risk of COVID-19 nosocomial transmission. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of Oyo state health care workers on COVID-19 as part of emergency preparedness. Methods A hospital based cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected health facilities in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 350 HCWs were assessed for the knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors of good knowledge at 95% confidence interval. with Epi-info software. Results The level of good knowledge on COVID-19 was 78.6% and positive attitude was 64% among the respondents. Majority of respondents practice safe measures in the prevention of COVID-19 including washing of hands (95.3%), routine cleaning (82.7%) and high-level disinfection (83.9%). However, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was low (56.8%). Predictors of good knowledge on COVID-19 were being a female HCW [Adjusted Odd’s Ratio(AOR) = 6.5 95% CI 1.0-17.2], ≥ 10 years length in service[AOR = 5.2 95%CI 2.7–18.9] and being a secondary or tertiary facility[ AOR = 3.6 95%CI 1.7–32.2]. Conclusions Overall knowledge and attitude were satisfactory however the practices of HCWs on the use of personal protective equipment was not satisfactory. Effective infection control measures including regular skill-based training and/or orientation for all categories of HCWs can improve infection control practices in health facilities.

Background: Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Poor knowledge among HCWs and inadequate infection control practices may lead to the increased risk of COVID-19 nosocomial transmission. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of Oyo state health care workers on COVID-19 as part of emergency preparedness. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional survey was conducted in selected health facilities in Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of 350 HCWs were assessed for the knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors of good knowledge at 95% confidence interval with Epi-info software. Results: The level of good knowledge on COVID-19 was 78.6% and positive attitude was 64% among the respondents. Majority of respondents practice safe measures in the prevention of COVID-19 including washing of hands (95.3%), routine cleaning (82.7%) and high-level disinfection (83.9%). However, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was low (56.8%). Predictors of good knowledge on COVID-19 were being a female HCW [Adjusted Odd's Ratio (AOR) = 6.5 95% CI 1.0-17.2], ≥10 years length in service [AOR = 5.2 95% CI 2.7-18.9] and being a secondary or tertiary facility [AOR = 3.6 95%CI 1.7-32.2]. Conclusions: Overall knowledge and attitude were satisfactory however the practices of HCWs on the use of personal protective equipment were How to cite this paper: Ayinde, O.O.,

Introduction On March 17th, 2020, Oyo State recorded her first case of COVID-19 through a United Kingdom returnee. Oyo State Ministry of Health with the support of technical and development partners responded quickly and effectively to contain the outbreak. The outbreak was characterized by place, person and time. Methods Field investigations were conducted and contact tracing and follow up done, all confirmed cases were identified, line-listed and analyzed using Epi-info version 7. Results A total of 34 confirmed cases were identified all within the capital city of Oyo State and two transferred from other states. The mean age was 49.1 ± 2.0 years with over 40% within the age group 50-59 years. There were 11(35.5%) health care workers infection. The case-fatality was 6.5%. The epidemic curve initially shows a typical propagated pattern, followed by a point source; though atypical. Conclusion Outbreak of COVID-19 was confirmed in Oyo State. Field investigation provided information on the characteristics of persons, time and place. Intensified surveillance activities such as contact tracing and follow- up, drive through testing and active case search were useful in early case detection and control of the outbreak.

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Introduction The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) which has spread exponentially worldwide. A robust surveillance system is essential for correct estimation of the disease burden and containment of the pandemic. We evaluated the performance of COVID-19 case-based surveillance system in FCT, Nigeria and assessed its key attributes. Methods We used a cross-sectional study design, comprising a survey, key informant interview, record review and secondary data analysis. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was administered to key stakeholders to assess the attributes and process of operation of the surveillance system using CDC’s Updated Guidelines for Evaluation of Public Health Surveillance System 2001. Data collected alongside surveillance data from March 2020 to January 2021 were analyzed and summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Out of 69,338 suspected cases, 12,595 tested positive with RT-PCR with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 18%. Healthcare workers were identified as high-risk group with a prevalence of 23.5%. About 82% respondents perceived the system to be simple, 85.5% posited that the system was flexible and easily accommodates changes, 71.4% reported that the system was acceptable and expressed willingness to continue participation. Representativeness of the system was 93%, stability 40%, data quality 56.2% and timeliness 45.5%, estimated result turnaround time (TAT) was suboptimal. Conclusion The system was found to be useful, simple, flexible, sensitive, acceptable, with good representativeness but the stability, data quality and timeliness was poor. The system meets initial surveillance objectives but rapid expansion of sample collection and testing sites, improvement of TAT, sustainable funding, improvement of electronic database, continuous provision of logistics, supplies and additional trainings are needed to address identified weaknesses, optimize the system performance and meet increasing need of case detection in the wake of rapidly spreading pandemic. More risk-group persons should be tested to improve surveillance effectiveness.

Background Voluntary blood donation (VBD) is critical to adequate blood supply. Public health facilities in Nigeria rely mostly on replacement blood donation. Motivation for blood donation among hospital donors was assessed, and factors that influence VBD were determined in Kaduna, Nigeria.Methods This is a cross-sectional study on 361 blood donors in three selected hospitals. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of VBD at P < 0Á05. ResultsThe major motivator (86Á9%) for respondents was when relatives or friends required blood transfusion. About 86% (310) of the respondents had good attitude towards VBD. Having primary or no formal education [adjusted odds ratio {AOR} (95% CI): 0Á35(0Á12-0Á98)] and those who were not in marital relationships [AOR (95% CI)]: 0Á45 (0Á21, 0Á97) were less likely to have good attitude to VBD. Additional factors that hinder VBD were concerns that donated blood might be sold [AOR (95% CI)]: 0Á11 (0Á05, 0Á24) and poor phlebotomy technique by personnel [AOR (95% CI)]: 0Á10 (0Á03, 0Á41). However, repeat blood donors were more likely to have good attitude to VBD [AOR (95% CI)]: 4Á22 (1Á79, 9Á94). ConclusionThe main motivator for respondents is when a family member or a friend needs blood transfusion. Low educational attainment, not been in a marital relationship, concerns that donated blood might be sold and fear of phlebotomy technique were deterrents to VBD. Appropriate blood donor education and providing conducive setting with skilled personnel could convert eligible replacement donors to voluntary donors.