Correlates of Health Care Workers’ Knowledge and HIV-Exposed Infant Immunization Counseling Practice in Northern Nigeria

Details

• Personal Author:
  Abdulkadir, Safiyya S. ; Ajuji, Sadiq I. ; Aliyu, Muktar H. ; Bello, Musa M. ; Hassan-Hanga, Fatima ; Iliyasu, Zubairu ; Nass, Nafisa S. ; Salihu, Hamisu M.
• Description:
  Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-exposed and HIV-infected infants are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. However, little is known about health care workers' knowledge and immunization counseling practices in this population. We determined the predictors of health care workers' knowledge of vertical transmission risks, HIV exposed/infected infant immunization, and counseling practices in a tertiary center in Northern Nigeria. Methods: A cross-section of 297 health workers were interviewed using a structured, validated questionnaire. Knowledge and HIV-exposed infant immunization counseling practices were analyzed, and adjusted odds ratios for predictors were derived from logistic regression models. Results: Of the 297 participating health care workers, (32.3%, n=96) had adequate knowledge of HIV-exposed/infected infant immunization. Two-thirds (67%, n=199) of the participants appropriately identified the timing of infant diagnosis, while (73%, n=217) and (56.2%, n=167) correctly categorized infants as HIV-exposed and HIV-infected, respectively. Only (19.5%, n=58) participants had ever counselled a HIV-positive mother on infant immunization. Knowledge was predicted by work unit (HIV clinic vs. Obstetrics & Gynecology clinic), (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) =3.78, 95% CI: 1.27-5.54), age (30-39 vs. <30 years), (AOR=2.24, 95% CI:1.19-5.67), years of experience (=10 vs. <5), (AOR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.15-6.04), number of children (1 vs. 0), (AOR=1.73, 95% CI:1.14-4.23), infant immunization training (yes vs. no), (AOR=1.57, 95% CI:1.12-5.43), female sex (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI:1.06-2.21), profession (nurse/midwife vs. physician), (AOR=0.44, 95% CI:0.21-0.94) and previous HIV test (no vs. yes), (AOR=0.67, 95% CI:0.21-0.83). Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Knowledge of HIV-exposed infant immunization was low and counseling practices were sub-optimal. Both immunization knowledge and counseling practices were predicted by demographic, professional, and training variables. Our findings indicate the need for educating health care workers on HIV exposed/infected infant immunization policy and improving counseling skills through capacity-building programs. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Health Personnel HIV Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Knowledge Children Cross Sectional Studies Health Care Workers Human Immunodeficiency Virus Immunization Immunizations Infant Nigeria
• ISSN:
  2161-864X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Nigeria
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  11 pdf pages
• Volume:
  10
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066987
• Citation:
  Int J MCH AIDS 2021 Jan; 10(1):55-65
• Email:
  ziliyasu@yahoo.com
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• Performing Organization:
  Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20080701
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of MCH and AIDS
• End Date:
  20270630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:55bfc83b14eb7b05a5917dba326f83a5b3a65ecff7e3d12fcdf4e9198f62a9b1e230983456a65d030ddc4c0f06d306238935d8117c50c334fcfb3d0eb4f2d0d7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/230642/cdc_230642_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 435.11 KB ]