This study assessed the knowledge and perception of the role of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the containment of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 420 students from eight schools (public and private) in Ibadan was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Overall, 60% reported EVD was airborne. A majority (71%) of the respondents had good knowledge of EVD, while a majority (92%) had a good perception of the role of WASH in EVD containment. Class of respondents was significantly (p = 0.045) associated with knowledge of WASH. Although schools had satisfactory sanitary facilities, only a few (21%) sustained good hygiene practices at the end of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Our findings revealed suboptimal knowledge on transmission of EVD, and unsustainable hygiene practices among secondary students post-Nigeria's EVD outbreak. High priority should be given to hygiene education among educators and students. Implementation of monitoring and evaluation of hygiene behaviour among secondary school students should also be a priority.
Background: Infection control is pivotal in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), one of the leading causes of morbidity with growing prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: We investigated the knowledge, attitude and self-reported hygiene practices towards hospital infection control among healthcare workers (HCWs) at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Nigeria. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study involving self-administered, structured questionnaires administered to 137 randomly selected HCWs (19 doctors, 66 nurses and 52 health assistants) was conducted in 2015. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis at 5% level of significance. Results: Mean age of HCWs was 39.81 ± 8.69 years. Majority (84.7%) was trained on hand hygiene and was knowledgeable about HAIs (86.9%), modes of transmission (57.7%) and effectiveness of hand hygiene (94.9%). However, about half (48.9%) of the HCWs reported did not adhere to hand hygiene often, because of the distance between a water source and the wards. This study also showed that there are relationships between categories of respondents and their knowledge of routes of HAI transmission (P < 0.01) and practice of hand hygiene after contacts with hospital surfaces (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Hospital and hand hygiene can be improved by ensuring water supply located close to the wards. There is need for the provision of clear guidance on procedures for hospital hygiene and sanitation.
Nosocomial infections (NIs) remain a global health burden with higher incidence in Africa. We assessed building conditions and risk of NIs from microbial contamination of appliances and surfaces in a Specialist hospital in Southwest Nigeria. The study sampled 120 surfaces in 12 wards during normal occupational activities. Moulds on ceilings and dusty surfaces were observed in the wards. Microbial burden (1038.0 × 10 cfu) peaked in the ICU but was lowest (446.9 × 10 cfu) in the male ward. Bacteria counts ( × 10 cfu) of 234.7, 199.7 and 67.0 were measured on ICU tap, doorknob and ECG, respectively. Theatre diatomy machine, anaesthetic machine and operating lamp had bacteria counts ( × 10 cfu) of 40.0, 85.0 and 109.0, respectively. Highest total fungal count (58.2 × 10 cfu) was recorded on ICU trolley handle, switch and suturing tube. Our study established surfaces as major environmental routes for NI transmission in this health care facility.
Purpose Transformation of nitrogen (N) from different manure sources to available forms to promote food security in context of rising climate change is vital. Effect of manure (types, nutrients, high rates and application time) on soil N transformation requires further investigation. This study evaluated effects of three animal manures on soil N mineralization of sandy clay loam. Methods A 22-week field study in a Randomized Complete Block Design (three replicates) was conducted using dried Cattle, Goat and Poultry Manures (CGPM), applied at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 ? -N and NO 3 --N at 12 WAI. High rates of CGPM were not injurious to these soil properties; hence this has implication for N to maximize plants uptake as well as decrease losses to environment.
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