ObjectiveVaccine development, distribution, and immunization of large populations have been identified as vital mitigation strategies for curbing the spread of COVID-19. However, vaccine hesitancy is a major barrier to this. The knowledge and perception of COVID-19 vaccines can improve vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study was to assess medical students' knowledge, attitude, and perception of COVID-19 vaccines.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted among undergraduate students from the faculties of Basic medical sciences and Clinical sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The students' knowledge was ranked as excellent (>70%), good (50–69%) and poor (<50%) while perception was categorized into positive (>50%), and negative (<50%). The difference in knowledge based on demographics was analyzed using the Independent sample t-test. The association between demographics, and students' perception was carried out using the Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests. Analyses were conducted using SPSS software version 25.ResultsA total of 233 students consented to participate in the study out of which 51.1% were female. Forty-eight students (20.6%) had good knowledge while 41.2% of the participants accepted to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Positive perception was reported among 51.1% (119) of the students.ConclusionThere was poor knowledge and positive perception among majority of the students. Educational intervention in form of training should be done to improve medical students' knowledge and perception toward COVID-19 vaccination.

Sachet water is a form of packaged water commonly sold in West Africa [1]. It refers to water of approximately 500 ml volume that is purified, packaged and sold for drinking in heat-sealed plastic sleeves ('sachets'). Nationally representative surveys show that up to 18% of urban households in Nigeria depend on sachet water for drinking, cooking and other domestic uses with only a small fraction utilising bottled water products [2]. The year-on-year increase in sachet water consumption observed in West Africa is driven in part by consumer purchasing behaviour, relative affordability, inadequate water supply infrastructure due to increasing urbanisation and limited access to safe and sustainable

Objectives Studies show that clinical pharmacy services are effective in optimizing medicines use and patients' outcomes. This study aimed to determine the clinical pharmacy services provided in public sector hospitals in Nigeria. Methods This was an online survey of 296 primary, secondary and tertiary care hospitals sampled purposively across the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria. Data analysis was conducted descriptively via χ 2 test and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Key findings Responses were obtained from 272 hospitals in the country with a survey completion rate of 88%. This included 55 tertiary, 72 secondary and 145 primary healthcare centres (PHCs). Pharmacists provided pharmaceutical care services in all the tertiary care hospitals, 94% of the secondary and in only 6% of the PHCs surveyed. Most of the secondary and tertiary care hospitals provided medicines information, patient education and counselling, and in-patient dispensing services [n = 97 (79%), 116 (94%), 88 (72%)], respectively. However, fewer than a third reported involvement in multidisciplinary ward rounds, medication chart review and antibiotic stewardship programmes [n = 18 (15%), 33 (27%), 22 (18%), respectively]. Furthermore, medication error reporting and pharmacovigilance services were each routinely provided in only about half of the secondary and tertiary care hospitals [n = 62 (50%)], and this was not associated with the level of care (P > 0.05). Conclusions The findings of this study demonstrate disparity in clinical pharmacy service availability across the various levels of care in Nigeria and emphasize the need to prioritize their integration within the primary care sector.

Background: Online pharmacies benefit consumer healthcare experience through affording convenience, efficiency, greater confidentiality, and improved access to medicines. There are several online pharmacies in Nigeria, however, studies about their use as well as consumer and pharmacists’ perceptions of the service are lacking. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists’ and consumer perceptions of online pharmacy services (OPS) in Uyo metropolis, Nigeria. Method: This was a cross-sectional survey involving community pharmacists and consumers. The survey instrument was a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Survey data was analysed descriptively using frequencies and percentages while X2 was used to evaluate association between variables.  Results: In total, 60 community pharmacists and 500 consumers replied to the survey. Although the majority (>85%) of the survey respondents reported frequent internet use, only about a third (28%) of the consumers and 57% of the pharmacists were aware of the availability of online pharmacy services in Nigeria. In general, majority of the consumers were positive about using online pharmacies with approximately two thirds (67%) indicating that they would consider purchasing medicines from the service in future. Also, 83% of the consumers indicated that access to online drug information and medicine advice via the service will be valuable. There was a significant (P<0.05) association between consumers’ online shopping behaviour and their likelihood to use the service. Also, majority (92%) of the community pharmacists in this survey agreed that online pharmacies promote pharmaceutical care and this perceived need was associated with their likelihood to provide the service in future (p=0.002). Consumer concerns about the service included the risk of substandard and counterfeit medicines, internet security, unavailability of prescribed brands, chances of ordering wrong medicines and uncertainty about timely delivery. Conclusion: Overall awareness of the availability of online pharmacy services in Nigeria is limited in the survey population despite reported frequent internet use in this cohort. Generally, our findings suggest the potential for future uptake of online pharmacy services and highlight the need for a standardised approach to service provision as well as a regulatory framework to improve consumer confidence and alleviate the concerns raised.   Article Type: Original Research

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