title: An assessment of the emergency response among health workers involved in the 2010 cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 2010 cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria affected over 40,000 people, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of ≥3.75%. We assessed the emergency response of health care workers (HCWs) involved in case management.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study with data collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using Epi info software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56 HCWs were interviewed. The mean age was 31 years (SD±8.16 years). The majority of the HCWs (80%; n=45) were aged 18-39 years. Most were community health extension workers (60%), and 3.6% (n=2) were medical doctors. Many of the HCWs had less than 2 years of work experience (42%). Additionally, 82% of the respondents had <1 week of cholera emergency response training, and 50% of the HCWs managed >20 suspected cases of cholera per day. Although 78% of HCWs reported the practice of universal safety precautions, 32% (n=18) knew HCWs who developed symptoms of cholera during the epidemic, most of which was believed to be hospital acquired (78%). We also found that 77% (n=43) of HCWs had no access to the required emergency response supplies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inadequate training, a lack of qualified HCWs and a limited supply of emergency response kits were reported. Therefore, the government and stakeholders should address the gaps noted to adequately control and prevent future epidemics.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Sciences Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. daveohlay@yahoo.com
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Oladele
authors.forename: Kolawole S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Oyedeji
authors.forename: Mary-Theresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Niemogha
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nwaokorie
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bamidele
authors.forename: Adesola Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.forename: Adeniyi K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Adeneye
authors.forename: Tajudeen A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Bamidele
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ochoga
authors.forename: Kehinde A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Akinsinde
authors.forename: Bartholomew I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Brai
authors.forename: Emmanuel A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Omonigbehin
authors.forename: Toun W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Fesobi
authors.forename: Stella I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Innocent A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Ujah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult