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Etokidem AJ; Ogaji DST
In April 2009, an outbreak of influenza was reported in Mexico and California and within months, it had spread to all continents of the world. An influenza pandemic has always posed a threat to global public health. Apart from the black death of the 14th century, which killed almost 100 million people worldwide, no other disease has killed more people within such a short period of time than the influenza pandemic of the early 20th century.
The objective of this study was to assess the preparedness of health care providers in Calabar, Nigeria, for the H1N1 pandemic.
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to health-care providers in Calabar, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using Epi-Info statistical software Version 3.5.1.
One hundred and forty-five (41.6%) respondents felt the infection was transmitted from pigs to humans while only 53 (15.1%) knew that it was transmitted from humans to humans. Two hundred and thirty- one (66.0%) respondents would not be willing to work in a hospital unit where patients with Influenza A H1N1 are treated while only 89 (25.4%) respondents would be willing to work in such a unit. One hundred and thirty-eight (39.4%) respondents would be willing to receive vaccination against Influenza A H1N1 while majority, 212 (60.6%) would not be willing. There was a statistically significant association between previous training on emergency preparedness, including preparedness for H1N1 Pandemic, and willingness to work in a hospital unit where Pandemic H1N1 patients were treated.
There are gaps in knowledge of respondents concerning H1N1 infection. Their level of preparedness is low. Capacity building in emergency preparedness for infectious disease epidemic is recommended.
Keywords: Influenza, H1N1, pandemic, infections, Calabar, Nigeria
Number of words: 300
Learning Objectives: Identify gaps in knowledge of health care providers regarding Influenza A H1N1.