The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences

Perceptions of primary healthcare workers on in-person versus virtual skills acquisition training on primary ear and hearing care

A.A. Adeyemo — 2025-10-01

Background: Due to demands for innovative solutions for training health care workers, virtual training has gained popularity offering distinct advantages over traditional in-person learning. However, there is no assessment yet of the effectiveness of virtual training in Primary Health Care (PEHC). This study evaluated perceptions of effectiveness and impact from participants trained on the PEHC manual using both in-person and virtual training formats.

Materials and Methods: This qualitative study utilized Focus Group Discussions and semi-structured interviews to gather insights from Primary Health Care Workers (PHCWs) from six Local Government Areas in Oyo State, Nigeria. Using a multistage cluster sampling technique, 134 respondents were selected to participate in either virtual or in-person training. The data was transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis with Atlas TI software.

Results: Five themes emerged from the study (Knowledge Acquired, Skills acquired, Preferences, Challenges, Recommendation). Participants in both training formats acknowledged that the training significantly improved their knowledge and practical skills in ear care, and they now feel equipped to handle cases of ear and hearing lesions. Though there was a predominant preference for in-person training format, some participants suggested increased use of virtual training to reach more PHCWs who were unable to participate in in-person training sessions. While in-person training participants complained of traveling long distances and accommodation challenges, virtual training participants complained mostly of the technical glitches and loss of attention.

Conclusion /Recommendations: Both in-person and virtual training formats were equally effective in training PHCWs. Despite the challenges identified in both training formats, integration of both trainings formats, with optimization of the virtual training format can provide a more comprehensive approach to professional development of primary healthcare workers.

The perception, practice, and awareness of potential harm in the use of safety pins on clothing among pregnant women in North-central Nigeria

M.O. Fijabiyi — 2025-10-01

Background: Some cultural practices are helpful to pregnant women; however, many are baseless and could even be harmful. The use of safety pins on clothing is gaining popularity among pregnant women throughout sociodemographic regions. Pregnant women attending Federal Medical Centre Keffi's prenatal clinic were assessed for perception, practice and awareness of potential harm associated with safety pins use on clothing.

Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional descriptive study, involving 420 consented women selected through simple random sampling. The data was analysed using SPSS IBM 25.

Results: Three hundred and ninety-three completed questionnaires were analysed. Majority of respondents (85.2%) were aware of safety pins use on clothing, 42% perceived the practice to be beneficial, and 25% reported the practice could be dangerous. Over a third of respondents have attached it to their clothes. Needle pricks were the most common injury among respondents who perceived the practice to be harmful.

Conclusion/Recommendations: The level of awareness and practice of use of safety pins on clothing among pregnant women is rapidly increasing. There is a great concern for safety and thus should not be encouraged.

Impact of improper breastfeeding postures on acute otitis media among children attending the otorhinolaryngology clinic of a tertiary health facility in southwest nigeria

S.O. Ayodele — 2025-10-01

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most frequent diagnosis among children. There has been controversies on the effect of breastfeeding postures on the incidence of AOM. This study looked into this relationship in our locality with an attempt at providing a primordial level of intervention and prevention of AOM among under 2 children.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of children at 2 years and below who presented with features of AOM. Diagnosis was based on detailed history and examination findings. Investigator-structured proforma was used to obtain data which was entered into SPSS and analyzed using Fisher's exact test with significance level of p <0.05.

Results: The findings revealed an age range of 27 days to 2 years old. The highest incidence of AOM was among infants with age ranging between 7-12 months. About 73% of mothers with no or informal education were full time house wives and 84% habitually breast fed in lying position. There was a statistically significant relationship between maternal occupation and breastfeeding in wrong postures as well as between awareness of proper posture during ANC attendance and breastfeeding lying down.

Conclusion and Recommendation: The high rate of breast feeding in wrong position is still raising concerns owing to the level of assimilation and effective application of the information received during antenatal clinic. Adaptation of a proper breastfeeding position remains an important factor to be considered in the prevention of AOM. Therefore, every woman in child bearing age should be well-informed.

Perception and experience of health workers on mobile health at Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba, Kogi State

A.R. Abubakar — 2025-10-01

Background: Mobile health is an essential tool for an efficient and quality health care services, with potential to increase access for the clients and improved knowledge and skills for the health workers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of health workers on mobile health at PAAUTH Anyigba, Kogi State. An explorative qualitative design using an in-depth interview was used.

Materials and Methods: The target population constituted all the health workers working at Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogi State. Required number of participants were selected for the study until the data reach saturation level. An in-depth interview guide was used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using the thematic content analysis.

Results: The findings indicated that a significant number of participants appreciated the opportunity provided by mobile health (mHealth) to access health-related information at any time and from any location. But, they are concerned about the lost of very useful information when the device developed problem. The participants also asserted that use of mHealth will significantly improve the patient's outcome as it also improve significantly the knowledge and skills of health care workers. Unstable power supply in the country has been opined by many participants as the greatest barrier to use of mobile health.

Conclusion/Recommendations: It was recommended that health care facilities should make use of the solar energy alternative to promote the use of mobile health for efficient health care services.

How skilled birth attendants navigate the complexities of managing preterm premature rupture of membranes and cervical insufficiency in Rwanda

O. Nishimwe — 2025-10-01

Background: Preterm birth affects 13.4 million cases globally, presenting significant health and socio-economic challenges. Addressing preterm birth's underlying risk factors and causes, such as Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and Cervical Insufficiency (CI), is important. Although these conditions are manageable, they still contribute to a high rate of preterm birth, especially in developing countries like Rwanda, where limited resources alter effective management. This study sought to explore skilled birth attendants' (SBAs') lived experience in the management of PPROM and CI as risk factors for preterm birth in Rwanda.

Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted in five health facilities in Rwanda. Participants were 24 SBAs working in obstetrics and gynaecology departments and included Nurses, Midwives, General Practitioners, Obstetric/Gynaecology Residents, Obstetrician/Gynaecologists and Fetomaternal Medicine Specialists. After obtaining informed consent, 24 indepth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were recorded in the participants' preferred language, either Kinyarwanda or English and transcribed verbatim. Kinyarwanda transcripts were translated into English. The transcripts were coded inductively and thematically analysed using Dedoose. Results of the study underscored the experiences of SBAs during management of PPROM and CI, including the challenges they face and the foundational anchors of the management.

Results: Four themes emerged: Teamwork in action: collaborative care drives success; evidence-based practice: protocols and expertise lead CI and PPROM management; transformative impact: better practices, better outcomes; and overcoming obstacles: resource gaps and patient challenges.

Conclusions/Recommendations: PPROM and CI management in Rwanda includes a blend of emotional experiences for those involved, reference to various guidelines, task-sharing and informal in-service education. Addressing resource limitations, adherence to harmonised evidence-based national protocols, formalising tasksharing, emotional support of SBA, and continuous education can benefit PPROM and CI care.

Nasal and oral swab expressions of ACE2 and IL6 in Nigerian COVID-19 patients with varying disease severity

O.K. Akande — 2025-10-01

Background: ACE2 receptor is crucial for SARS-CoV 2 entry into host cells, and pro-inflammatory cytokine storm causes mortality in COVID-19 patients. Blood levels of both ACE2 inhibitor and IL6 antagonists were considered for therapeutic management strategies during COVID-19. The study determined the molecular expressions of ACE2 and IL6 in nasal and oral swabs of COVID-19 Nigerian patients of different severities.

Materials and Method: Forty-five COVID-19 patients ( mild, moderate and severe) were recruited from the Biorepository Clinical Virology Laboratory, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Ten (10) healthy individuals served as control. Expression levels of ACE2 and IL6 were determined using q-RT-PCR. The threshold (Ct) values of the expressions were determined and fold changes (2-ΔΔCT) values calculated. P < 0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: The mean swab Ct value of ACE2 expression was significantly reduced in combined COVID-19 cases compared with control, while mean swab IL6 Ct values were similar in cases and control. The mean swab ACE2 Ct values were significantly reduced in severe- and moderate-COVID-19 cases compared with control, while mean swab IL6 Ct value was significantly increased in mild COVID-19 cases compared with control. Sixty (60) %, 93% and 100% of mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 patients respectively had low swab ACE2 expression while 93%, 100% and 93% of mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 patients respectively had low swab IL-6 expression. Also, 67% and 50% of male and female COVID-19 patients respectively had low Ct values of swab IL6 expression. Thirty-three percent of females or ≥40yrs old COVID-19 patients had low Ct values of swab ACE2 expression while 33% and 100% of <40yrs and ≥40yrs old COVID-19 patients respectively had low Ct values of swab IL-6 expression.

Conclusion/Recommendations: ACE2 expression in swab might be used as an indicator of SARS-CoV 2 severity. Thus, the development of ACE2-based therapeutic measure against COVID-19 is supported by this study.

Large primary scrotal lipoma in a young Nigerian: A case report with review of literature

I.A. Nwajei — 2025-10-01

Background: Primary scrotal lipoma is a very rare clinical entity where tumour of mature adipocytes arise from the subcutaneous tissue of scrotal sac. Accurate clinical diagnosis is important to exclude possible differential diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: Case Report with Review of Literature

Results: We report a case of bilateral primary lipoma in a 21year old Nigerian which initially posed a diagnostic dilemma due to its similarity with the testes, both in size, shape and appearance on ultrasound scan. Diagnosis was then made with the aid of Magnetic resonance imaging and the patient was managed with surgical excision and biopsy with no resultant post op complication. It is therefore recommended that for proper evaluation of patients with scrotal masses, radiological imaging modalities as well as histology are useful in aiding diagnosis.