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Background: The detection of Escherichia coli in water is an indication of the presence of other faeco-orally transmissible microorganisms which increase the risk for waterborne diseases. Simple and effective household water treatment technologies are capable of reducing this risk. This study aims to compare the effect of household water treatment using combined flocculant-disinfectant with that of sodium hypochlorite on the risk of waterborne diseases in rural households of Plateau State. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in households of two selected rural communities of Plateau State among caregivers of under-fives. Household water treatment was carried out using the relatively new flocculant-disinfectant powder in the intervention group and the more familiar sodium hypochlorite solution in the control group, lasing for a period of 12 weeks. The presence and concentration of Escherichia coli was determined in water samples collected before and after intervention to determine households at risk of waterborne diseases. Analysis was carried out using SPSS 23. Results: A total of 100 caregivers per household in intervention group and 96 in control group participated in the study.Less than 25% of households in both groups engaged in household water treatment which were mainly inappropriate methods. Before intervention, 74% of households in intervention group and 61.5% in control group were at risk of waterborne diseases (p=0.060). After intervention, more households in intervention group (88.0%) compared to 66.7% in control group had no risk for waterborne diseases (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that household water treatment with combined flocculant-disinfectant is more effective than sodium hypochlorite. There is need for government in collaboration with other stakeholders to provide rural dwellers who are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases with this option.

Khathutshelo Percy Mashige,1 Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu,1,2 Sekar Ulagnathan,3 Bernadine N Ekpenyong,1,4 Emmanuel Kwasi Abu,5 Piwuna Christopher Goson,6 Raymond Langsi,7 Obinna Nwaeze,8 Chikasirimobi G Timothy,9 Deborah Donald Charwe,10 Richard Oloruntoba,11 Chundung Asabe Miner,12 Tanko Ishaya,13 Godwin O Ovenseri-Ogbomo,1,14 Kingsley E Agho1,15 1African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), School of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, 3629, South Africa; 2Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia; 3Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; 4Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; 5School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; 6Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria; 7Health division, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon; 8County Durham and Darlington National Health Service (NHS) Foundation, Darlington, Durham, UK; 9Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya; 10Tanzania Food and Nutrition Center, Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania; 11Supply Chain Management, Curtin Business School, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; 12Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria; 13Department of Computer Science, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria; 14Department of Optometry, Centre for Life Sciences, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, IV2 3JH, UK; 15School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South W

Misinformation about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a significant threat to global public health because it can inadvertently exacerbate public health challenges by promoting spread of the disease. This study used a convenience sampling technique to examine factors associated with misinformation about COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa using an online cross-sectional survey. A link to the online self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1,969 participants through social media platforms and the authors' email networks. Four false statements—informed by results from a pilot study—were included in the survey. The participants' responses were classified as “Agree,” “Neutral,” and “Disagree.” A multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associated factors. Among those who responded to the survey, 19.3% believed that COVID-19 was designed to reduce world population, 22.2% thought the ability to hold your breath for 10 seconds meant that you do not have COVID-19, 27.8% believed drinking hot water flushes down the virus, and 13.9% thought that COVID-19 had little effect on Blacks compared with Whites. An average of 33.7% were unsure whether the 4 false statements were true. Multivariate analysis revealed that those who thought COVID-19 was unlikely to continue in their countries reported higher odds of believing in these 4 false statements. Other significant factors associated with belief in misinformation were age (older adults), employment status (unemployed), gender (female), education (bachelor's degree), and knowledge about the main clinical symptoms of COVID-19. Strategies to reduce the spread of false information about COVID-19 and other future pandemics should target these subpopulations, especially those with limited education. This will also enhance compliance with public health measures to reduce spread of further outbreaks.

Background: COVID-19 is a disease that has resulted in a worldwide pandemic. Health workers have been identified to be at a higher risk compared to the general population due to increased exposure primarily at the work place and having to deal with a novel disease whose epidemiology is still evolving. As health workers are vital to control efforts, their response will be influenced by what they know, their perception of the disease and their practices. This study therefore sought to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practices of health workers on COVID-19 in Plateau State, Nigeria. Method: It is a descriptive study that used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on 105 health workers of Plateau State who were purposively selected. Data was collected on their knowledge, perceptions and practice of COVID-19 and analyzed using SPSS version 23 at a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Mean age of health workers was 42.5 ± 9.2 years.  Females made up 58% of the respondents, males were 42%.  Nurses made up 69% of the respondents.  More than 70% had worked for 10 – 29 years. Knowledge of COVID-19 was found to be inadequate in 57% of the health workers with social media being most frequent (69.5%) source of information. Most (86.6%) respondents had a good perception towards COVID-19 and 62.8% were willing to attend to a COVID-19 patient. There were consistent practices of hand hygiene and cough etiquette. Sixty percent had access to at least one form of personal protective equipment though 72.4% had never had training on putting on the full personal protective gear required for COVID-19. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for training of health care workers in Plateau State and provision of full personal protective gear to ensure their safety at work.

Background: The global pandemic of COVID-19 has continued to spread across the world due to its highly infectious nature. Its control as of present is dependent on measures that involve banning of large gatherings, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough hygiene and restrictions of movement. This requires that the general public is made aware of these strategies and adheres to them strictly. This study aimed to generate information on the knowledge base, perception, and prevalent practices in Plateau State of Nigeria. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional survey in which responses were obtained through an online platform from adult residents of the State. Knowledge, perceptions and prevention practices of COVID-19 were assessed and analysed using Microsoft Excel and Epi-Info 7.2.3.1 at a significance level of p < 0.05 Results: Responses were obtained from 732 participants. Sixteen out of the 17 local government areas of the State were captured. The age group 21-50 year made up 85% of the respondents and all had some level of education. The mean level of knowledge was 24.5 ± 3.9 and was significantly associated with age and level of education. Perceptions and practices were however not commensurate with the high level of knowledge. Conclusion: There is a need to increase awareness efforts to fill knowledge gaps and dispel some misconceptions and there is a need for a reciprocal improvement by the residents to adapt the practices that are needed to ensure that the disease is brought under control.

Background: Risk is the likelihood that a person may be harmed or suffers adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard and for welders, there are several hazards lying around them in their workplace. This study aimed to assess the risks in welding workshops and practice of safety measures amongst welders in Jos metropolis. Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 50 workshops in Jos metropolis. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was entered and analyzed using Epi-info version 3.5.4 statistical software. Results: Among the hazards identified in the workshops, manual handling, noise/vibration and fumes had the highest frequencies. All the workshops were well ventilated and 49 (98.0%) were well-lit. None of the shops had fire extinguishers, first aid boxes nor did they label hazardous substances. Only 41 (82.0%) workshops provided goggles for the workers while no helmet, apron nor hearing protection was provided by any of the workshops assessed. Conclusion: From this study, almost all the workshops practiced manual metal arc welding (electric) and the biggest hazards identified in the welding workshops were manual handling of welding equipment, noise, vibration and fumes. Even though there was good environmental control practices of adequate ventilation and lighting, provision of PPE was not adequate. It is recommended that continuous educational campaign on workplace hazards, adequate environmental control measures, provision and proper use of different PPE should be sustained for welders on a regular basis by the welders

BACKGROUND: Technostress is a general feeling of anxiety and negative impact on thoughts, behaviours, attitudes and body when a person is expected to deal with technology. It can lead to poor job performance and decreased productivity among workers. Coping strategies for technostress include: getting adequate user friendly software; encouragement of employees to communicate amongst others. This study aimed to assess its effect on job performance as well as presence of coping mechanisms among academic staff of University of Jos, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY : This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 144 academic staff selected from all the 12 faculties of the University of Jos via multi-stage sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was entered and analyzed using Epi-info version 3.5.4 statistical software. A 95% confidence interval was used and a probability value of p ? 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS : Technostress significantly affected the job performance of 57 (39.6%) respondents to some extent, 47 (32.6%) to a very little extent, 27 (18.8%) to no effect and 13 (9.0%) to a great extent. Commonest symptoms of technostress experienced were neck ache 66 (45.8%) and blurred vision 61 (42.4%). The respondents ranked technology-based training 87 (60.4%) and effective time management 87 (60.4%) the highest as strategies for coping with technostress. CONCLUSION : Stress management and technology-related training should be organized for the staff of the university. Easily accessible high speed internet network with wide coverage could be made available to all academic staff of the university in all campuses.