Justifications for determining Influenza threshold and intensity in Nigeria?5 answersIn Nigeria, determining Influenza thresholds and intensity involves assessing the impact of different methods and criteria. The Moving Epidemic Method (MEM) and the WHO method are commonly used approaches, each with unique characteristics that influence threshold calculations. Additionally, the National Influenza Center in Russia utilizes baselines and intensity thresholds for early epidemic recognition and assessment, proving effective in analyzing epidemic parameters. Furthermore, a study in Nigeria highlights the importance of surveillance in wild birds to provide early warning of Avian Influenza outbreaks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring of AIV subtypes H5 and H9 in wild bird populations. These insights underscore the significance of utilizing various methods and criteria to determine Influenza thresholds and intensity levels in Nigeria.
Pandemic Influenza Severity Assessment in Nigeria?5 answersThe pandemic preparedness in Nigeria has been assessed through various frameworks like the Joint External Evaluation (JEE). During the COVID-19 pandemic, interventions at national and sub-national levels, including training health workers, upgrading laboratories, and enhancing data systems, have strengthened the health system in response to the crisis. A study on the severity of COVID-19 in Nigeria utilized a Susceptible Infectious and Recovered (SIR) model, indicating an average basic reproductive number (R0) of 1.533931, emphasizing the need for continued containment efforts by the government. Additionally, the assessment of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Nigeria highlighted the importance of effective biosecurity measures and the evolving clinico-pathological features of the disease, suggesting the potential for endemicity and the need for policy reviews and zoned vaccination strategies.
Pandemic Influenza and WHO Assessment in Nigeria?5 answersNigeria has faced challenges with pandemic preparedness, as highlighted in the WHO Joint External Evaluation (JEE). The country's response to outbreaks, such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry, has shown lapses in control measures, leading to altered disease manifestations and the need for revised policies like zoned vaccination. Furthermore, the impact of pandemics like COVID-19 has prompted interventions to strengthen the health system, focusing on areas such as leadership, workforce motivation, and service delivery at healthcare facilities like the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). Nigeria's experience with previous outbreaks, like the 2006 bird flu, has influenced its approach to surveillance and response strategies, emphasizing the importance of active surveillance and a One Health approach for future pandemic preparedness.
What are thechallenges in vaccine coverage in Nigeria?3 answersVaccine coverage in Nigeria faces several challenges. These include low immunization rates, with only 13.8% of the population receiving the recommended dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Sub-optimal priority setting and health system governance have led to inequities in access and fueled vaccine hesitancy. The Nigerian cold chain system also presents challenges, such as lack of infrastructure, inadequate capacity, and limited integration of technology. Vaccine hesitancy is driven by a lack of information, misinformation on social media, resistance from religious leaders and parents, and a lack of support from healthcare workers. Additionally, there is no clear policy on vaccination of healthcare workers against vaccine-preventable diseases, contributing to poor uptake. These challenges highlight the need for improved vaccination strategies, including strengthening priority setting, addressing vaccine hesitancy through communication strategies, and reorganizing the supply chain and training of cold chain workers.
F antibiotic resistance in Nigeria?5 answersAntibiotic resistance in Nigeria is a significant issue that poses a threat to public health and the effective treatment of infectious diseases. Factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in Nigeria include poor awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance, irrational use of antibiotics, lack of national antibiotic guidelines, weak regulations, and unrestricted access to antibiotics. Healthcare workers in Nigeria have been found to prescribe antibiotics inappropriately, including for viral infections, and have a moderate level of knowledge and attitude towards minimizing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Studies have also shown high levels of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori isolates in Nigeria, with multidrug efflux pumps being a possible mechanism of resistance. The ratio of licensed pharmacies to over-the-counter medicine stores is high in Nigeria, contributing to unregulated antibiotic sales. To address antibiotic resistance in Nigeria, it is recommended to enforce regulations on antibiotic sales, increase awareness on antimicrobial resistance, and promote rational antimicrobial use and stewardship.
What are the challenges to implementing effective surveillance for Ebola virus disease in Nigeria?5 answersThe challenges to implementing effective surveillance for Ebola virus disease in Nigeria include the large size and complexity of the country's health system, which historically has made disease outbreak response difficult. Nigeria has experienced numerous public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks, with over 20 occurring between 2016 and 2018 alone. The efficiency of the response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014 demonstrated that proactive and effective outbreak response is possible, but it remains a challenge. Additionally, there is a need to strengthen the Nigerian public health emergency response systems by learning from past experiences and addressing limitations. Inadequate funding for the surveillance system and reliance on international partners for resources have also been identified as challenges. Harmonization of data collection systems and the need for a comprehensive legal framework for disease surveillance are further challenges to be addressed.