OGUNTUNDE Hilda Emem

Matric no: 2022000258

Department: Nursing science
Level: 300l

Background:
Infection control continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Mokola Community of
Ibadan North LGA, Oyo State. Case Management of infection control (CCIC) which is undertaken by
engaging Community Health Officers (CHOs) to effectively address management of infection in some
endemic communities was explored in this study. The aim was to assess the needs of CHOs that would
help sustain and retain their services to enhance the efficient delivery of CCIC.

Methods
Using semi-structured questionnaires, data on the needs of CHOs was gathered through a qualitative
study consisting of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted among study
participants in five districts in Mokola Community.The study participants comprised of 80 CHOs, 120
mothers of children under five years and 30key informants made up of public health officers and
clinicians involved in the CCIC. The interviews were conducted in English and Yoruba, the local language.

Results:
All the study participants recognized the need to train and update CHOs on their work as well as
remunerating them for their services to enhance efficient delivery of services. The CHOs on their part
perceived the provision of protective equipment, provision of safe drinking water, environmental
cleanliness, good personal hygiene, rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs) for malaria diagnosis,safe or proper
waste disposal,together with drugs for treating clients as the essential needs to undertake CCIC in the
communities. Other logistical needs and incentives mentioned by CHOs and key informants for the
successful delivery of CCIC included; good nutrition and regular check up in the clinics by trained health
professionals, accessible roads and means of transportation, uniforms and ID cards for identification.

Conclusions:
CHOs would perform tasks better and their services retained for a sustainable CCIC if: properly
incentivized; offered refresher trainings (and updates) on infection control; and equipped with the
requisite tools identified in this study.
Background
There are a number of ongoing infection control programs in Mokola community yet, infection is
reported to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this community. Of all the age
groups, children under the age of five are considered the most vulnerable to infection as 67 % of
malaria mortalities occurred in that group. Severe sepsis among children under five is a common
occurrence in Mokola community.

Prompt and accurate diagnosis of infection together with appropriate treatment is key in infection
control.

In Mokola Community, Case Management of infection (CCIC) is undertaken by community health

workers (CHOs) in endemic areas in an effort to combat the burden of diseases. CHOs are healthy
volunteers selected from their communities and trained to work within villages. In CCIC, CHOs
identify cases through physical examination, signs and symptoms, FBC/ MCS done in the laboratory,
and treat positive cases with appropriate antibiotics thus, enhancing access to health care in these
communities.

Studies have reported the effectiveness of CHOs in reducing child mortalities associated with
infection in several countries.

However, some of the previous studies identified challenges such as;

- Poor implementation government policies that fails to protect the lives or health of it's populace

- Unavailability of protective equipment

- Bad roads and hard to reach areas

- poverty

- Non accessible of health facilities

- Natural disasters e.t.c