ObjectivesHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline of efforts to treat those affected by COVID-19 and prevent its continued spread. This study seeks to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) as well as training needs and preferences related to COVID-19 among frontline HCWs in Nigeria.SettingA cross-sectional survey was carried out among 1852 HCWs in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings across Nigeria using a 33-item questionnaire.ParticipantsRespondents included doctors, nurses, pharmacy and clinical laboratory professionals who have direct clinical contact with patients at the various healthcare settings.AnalysisExploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to establish independent factors related to COVID-19 KAP. Analysis of variance was used to identify any differences in the factors among different categories of HCWs.ResultsEFA identified four factors: safety and prevention (factor 1), practice and knowledge (factor 2), control and mitigation (factor 3) and national perceptions (factor 4). Significant group differences were found on three factors: Factor 1 (F(1,1655)=5.79, p=0.0006), factor 3 (F(1,1633)=12.9, p<0.0.0001) and factor 4 (F(1,1655)=7.31, p<0.0001) with doctors scoring higher on these three factors when compared with nurses, pharmaceutical workers and medical laboratory scientist. The most endorsed training need was how to reorganise the workplace to prevent spread of COVID-19. This was chosen by 61.8% of medical laboratory professionals, 55.6% of doctors, 51.7% of nurses and 51.6% of pharmaceutical health workers. The most preferred modes of training were webinars and conferences.ConclusionThere were substantial differences in KAP regarding the COVID-19 pandemic among various categories of frontline HCWs surveyed. There were also group differences on COVID-19 training needs and preferences. Tailored health education and training aimed at enhancing and updating COVID-19 KAP are needed, particularly among non-physician HCWs.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Dyslipidemia is a key risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an established tool for the detection and assessment of progression of atherosclerosis. Serum uric acid (SUA) a product of purine metabolism has been recognized as a marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gender difference in serum uric acid on subclinical carotid atherosclerosis as determined by CIMT in hypertensive patients attending the cardiology clinic of the UPTH. Methods: 144 Hypertensive subjects and 72 age-and sex-matched controls were recruited. Their waist circumference, body mass indices and fasting lipid profile and SUA were determined. Diabetics and patients receiving uric acid-lowering drugs were excluded. CIMT was measured in all Unamba and Akpa; CA, 6(3): 1-11, 2017; Article no.CA.34813 2 study subjects using standard protocol. Results were subjected to linear, multiple, and logistic regression analyses. Results: Eighty-seven (61.7%) of the cases had hyperuricemia while it was present in 29(39.7%) of the controls (p=0.002). The mean uric acid was significantly higher among the cases when compared to the control group (382.8 ±109.2 µmol/l versus 347.8 ±97.4 µmol/l, p=0.021). The male subjects had a higher SUA levels than the female subjects (415.1± 98.53 µmol/l versus 334.7± 98.50 µmol/l, p<0.001). The mean CIMT of the hypertensive subjects was significantly higher than that of the control cohorts (0.79± 0.19 mm versus 0.62± 0.78 mm, p<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis of the whole population after adjusting for age, sex, waist circumference, SBP, TG, revealed that the association between SUA and carotid atherosclerosis was significant in men but not in women. Original Research Article Conclusion:A significantly positive association between SUA level and CIMT was observed in the present sample of hypertensive Nigerian adult population. This association was evident in men with essential hypertension, but not in the women.

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Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) assists persons living with diabetes with the day-today behavioral and therapeutic adjustments to their diabetes care. It is a cheaper and more available alternative to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in Nigeria for monitoring glycaemic control. Information on SMBG practices of Nigerians living with diabetes using their personal glucometers is scanty. The aim of the study is to assess the intensity and frequency of SMBG by glucometer owners, and the extent the patients and/or the health care providers (HCP) utilize SMBG to achieve personalized treatment goals via behavioral/treatment adjustments. This was a cross sectional study carried out among persons living with diabetes that accessed diabetes care at the diabetes clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and using their personal glucometers. They were consecutively recruited. Data obtained by using intervieweradministered questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, and pvalue <0.05 was considered significant. A total of 128 persons living with diabetes participated in the study of which 40 (31%) were males and 88 (69%) were females; the mean age of the subjects was 52.05 ± 11.24 years with a range of 26-70 years. The majority of the study subjects (72%) were in the active working age group (25-60years). The highest frequency of glucometer use was in the 26 subjects (20%) who checked their blood glucose every morning while 62 (48%) of the subjects checked their blood glucose any morning they felt like. Most of the subjects (60%) did not have any recording device. Glucometer owners were not just the insulin-requiring people living with diabetes as more than half of the subjects, 66 (52%) were on oral anti diabetic drugs (OAD) only. Glucometer ownership was mainly by those that were in the working age group. SMBG protocol (frequency) was variable and SMBG data were not maximally utilized.

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