A survey of knowledge and reporting practices of primary healthcare workers on adverse experiences following immunisation in alimosho local government area, Lagos.

BACKGROUND

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers offering immunisation services in primary healthcare facilities in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria, on knowledge and reporting practices of healthcare workers on adverse events following immunisations (AEFIs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pre-tested, close-ended, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and reporting practices on AEFI. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Knowledge of healthcare workers was scored and graded as <50% - poor, 50-74% - fair and ≥75% - good. Reporting practices on AEFI was classified as good if it was reported within 24 h of seeing one.P= 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-four healthcare workers duly completed and returned their questionnaires. The mean age was 39.5 ± 2.64 years and mean post-qualification experience was 12.2 ± 2.33 years. Over 80% of the healthcare workers knew that fever, pain, redness and swelling at injection site were clinical signs and symptoms of AEFI, and 93% knew about filling an adverse event form to report an AEFI. Overall, nearly 80% of respondents had fair/good knowledge on AEFI. Fifty-five (33.5%) healthcare workers had encountered an AEFI and 31 (56.4%) reported such within 24 h. There was a significant relationship between being younger healthcare workers and knowledge on AEFIs (P = 0.029). No healthcare worker characteristics were significantly associated with good reporting practices on AEFI.

CONCLUSION

Respondents' knowledge and reporting practices on AEFI were average.