Browsing by Author "Iro, O. K."

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    An investigation into the relationship between sanitation practices and water-borne enteric diseases in Ihechiowa Community, Arochukwu, Southeastern Nigeria
    (U. P., 2020) Okereke, E. E.; Amadi, C. O. A.; Iro, O. K.; Obasi, K. O.; Azuamah, Y. C.; Iwuoha, G. N.; Igwe, C. N.; Amadi, A. N.
    Universal, affordable and sustainable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is a key public health issue. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between sanitation practices and occurrence of water-borne enteric diseases among residents in Ihechiowa community, Arochukwu L.G.A., Southeastern Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross sectional study to investigate the sanitation practices and occurrence of water-borne enteric diseases in Ihechiowa community, Arochukwu, Southeastern, Nigeria. The multistage sampling technique was adopted to select samples for the study. A well-structured questionnaire was used to interview the subjects and obtain data for the study. Data was uploaded into the SPSS version 23 software and the Chi-square was used to test for association at 5% level of significance. All subjects used for this study gave an informed consent to be part of the study. A total of 242 subjects were used for this study. The waterborne enteric diseases identified among the respondents in the study area include diarrhoea (20.4%), typhoid fever (50.0%), dysentery (1.4%) and cholera (28.2%). There was a significant relationship [P (0.015) < 0.05] with the type of latrine used and the presence of water-borne enteric diseases. There was also a significant relationship [P (0.001) < 0.05] with the material used for anal cleansing and the presence of water-borne enteric diseases. Further investigations revealed that hand washing after toilet use had a significant relationship [P (0.015) < 0.05] with the presence of water-borne enteric diseases. In conclusion, sanitation practices were found to be associated with water-borne enteric diseases. Health promotion and awareness campaigns on water, sanitation and hygiene were recommended
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    Color coding of solid health care waste in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria
    (U. P., 2019) Akingbehin, S. A.; Amadi, C. O. A.; Iro, O. K.; Azuamah, Y. C.; Amadi, A. N.
    Color coding ensures identification of the hazards associated with the type of health care waste that is handled or treated. The objective of this study was to investigate the compliance of health care facilities in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria to the color coding system of waste segregation. A harmonized checklist and a well-structured questionnaire were used to obtain data from the health care facilities and their workers. A total of 507 workers in 16 health care facilities were interviewed in this study. Results showed that for the color identification of sharps, 472 (93.10%) respondents said black; brown was 26 (5.13%); yellow, 10 (1.97%). For pathological wastes, black was 470 (92.70%); brown, 28 (5.52%); yellow, 6 (1.18%). For radioactive wastes, black was 475 (93.69%); brown, 5 (0.99%); yellow, 35 (6.90%). For chemical wastes, black was 483 (95.27%); brown, 20 (3.94%); yellow, 5 (0.99%). For infectious wastes, black was 461 (90.93%); brown, 32 (6.31%); yellow, 15 (2.96%). For pharmaceutical wastes, black was 467 (92.11%); brown, 36 (7.10%); yellow, 10 (1.97%). In conclusion, the health care facilities in Lagos did not adhere to the proper color coding for segregation of solid health care waste. It was recommended that awareness programs be organized for health care workers so that they will be familiar with the color coding system and abide by it.
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    Solid medical waste treatment methods by health care facilities in Abia State, Nigeria
    (U. P., 2019-12) Akingbehin, S. A.; Amadi, C. O. A.; Iro, O. K.; Azuamah, Y. C.; Amadi, A. N.
    Medical wastes include sharps, pathological wastes, chemical wastes, infective wastes, pharmaceutical wastes and radioactive wastes. This study was carried out to determine the solid medical waste treatment methods by health care facilities in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria. A harmonized checklist and a well-structured questionnaire were used to obtain data from 15 health care facilities and 552 workers. All the respondents gave an informed consent to be part of the study. Results of the study showed that for the treatment of sharps, shedding was indicated by 122 (22.10%) respondents; autoclaving, 200 (36.23%); incineration, 282 (51.09%); thermal inactivation, 28 (5.07%); chemical disinfection, 50 (9.06%); no treatment, 218 (39.49%). For pathological waste, shedding was indicated by 190 (34.42%) respondents; autoclaving, 12 (2.17%); incineration, 115 (20.83%); thermal inactivation, 135 (24.46%); chemical disinfection, 170 (30.80%); no treatment, 278 (50.36%). For treatment of radioactive waste, shedding was indicated by 10 (1.81%) respondents; autoclaving, 47 (8.51%); incineration, 35 (6.34%); thermal inactivation, 53 (9.60%); chemical disinfection, 193 (34.96%); no treatment, 214 (38.77%). For treatment of chemical waste, shedding was indicated by 93 (16.85%) respondents; autoclaving, 132 (23.91%); incineration, 27 (4.89%); thermal inactivation, 81 (14.67%); chemical disinfection, 194 (35.14%); no treatment, 106 (19.20%). For infectious waste, shedding was indicated by 72 (13.04%) respondents; autoclaving, 131 (23.73%); incineration, 42 (7.61%); thermal inactivation, 173 (31.34%); chemical disinfection, 245 (44.38%); no treatment, 34 (6.16%). For pharmaceutical waste, shedding was indicated by 111 (20.11%) respondents; autoclaving, 159 (28.80%); incineration, 142 (25.72%); thermal inactivation, 82 (14.86%); chemical disinfection, 100 (18.12%); no treatment, 101 (18.30%)