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Welding is an ancient profession; it is a process of joining or cutting metal parts using flame or electric arc and other sources of heat. Welding can be dangerous and unhealthy if appropriate precautions are not taken. It is associated with a lot of hazards and has been ranked as a high risk occupation based on cost related injuries. 1 There are more than 80 different types of welding and associated processes 2 but the commonest types in Nigeria are gas and electric arc welding. 2 Gas welding utilizes oxyacetylene flame while electric arc welding involves the use of electricity. 3,4 Welders ABSTRACT Background: Welding work serves as a means of livelihood for many Nigerians and welders are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards. In Nigeria, high rate of welding injuries has been reported to be due to low or non-use of PPE and this has been attributed to poor knowledge. Several studies have recommended education as a means of educating welders. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of health education intervention on PPE use among oxyacetylene welders. Methods: This is an interventional study with a control. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire from respondents selected by simple random technique, and was repeated after 3 month after health education intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20, Chi-square analysis was used to determine observed differences between both groups pre-and post-intervention. Results: At pre-intervention, there were significant differences in the level of knowledge and use of some PPE between the two groups. The proportions of respondents that have knowledge of various types of PPE and used them was significantly higher in the intervention group (p<0.05). The frequency of used of PPE also increased. The main reason for non-use of PPEs were high cost and inconvenience. Conclusions: Health education brought about a significant increase in awareness and use of PPE. Regular health education needs to be given to all cadres of workers in their workplaces on the use of PPE to reduce occupational related injuries.

SummaryBackgroundPatent medicine vendors (PMVs) are the most common source of antimalarial drugs and treatment for majority of Nigerians. The quality of their practice could have implications for malaria control. This study sought to explore the factors influencing the malaria treatment practices of PMVs for under-five children in Akwa Ibom State.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using an interviewer-administered questionnaire was conducted among 176 PMVs selected by simple random sampling from two local government areas (LGAs). In addition, four focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to generate qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 20 while content analysis was done on the qualitative data.ResultsArtemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) was the most frequently recommended antimalarial treatment by PMVs (75.6%) for children as against chloroquine (17%) and Sulphadoxine/Pyrimethamine (2.8%). However, only 39.2% of PMVs recommended the appropriate antimalarial treatment (ACTs at the right dose for age), while 71% recommended referral for severe malaria.Factors found to be associated with appropriate management of malaria from quantitative analysis included Educational qualification, attending malaria training and their knowledge of malaria. The FGDs showed that severity of child's illness, parents/caregivers drug request and perceived ability of the parents/caregiver to afford the drugs influenced PMVs malaria treatment practices.ConclusionKnowledge of malaria, severity of child's illness and parents' drug request influenced the treatment practices of PMVs. Training PMVs on appropriate malaria management and community health education/sensitization to leverage on the influence of client-demand on ACT use is recommended to improve PMVs treatment practice.FundingThis study was conducted using mainly personal funds of the lead author with some support from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.