IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING A PAEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN ZARIA

Аннотация

INTRODUCTION responses of children compared to adults. A medical emergency is an acute health condition Paediatric emergencies are classified as those that poses an immediate risk to a person's life or affecting individuals under 18 years of age and long-term health if not treated promptly. In represent a significant burden on healthcare paediatric patients, these emergencies are systems globally (Barbiellini et al., 2021; Jordan et particularly concerning due to their rapid al., 2022; Newgard et al., 2023). They remain a progression and the unique physiological https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajiir 205 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 leading cause of morbidity and mortality, management protocols at the primary healthcare especially among children under five years of age, (PHC) level. In many developing countries, who are particularly vulnerable due to their including Nigeria, PHC centres are the first point of developing immune systems and dependency on contact for most patients, especially in rural areas. caregivers for timely medical intervention. The However, these centres are often under-resourced World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes and inadequately staffed, leading to suboptimal that paediatric emergencies require urgent care during emergencies (Oleribe et al., 2016; medical attention to prevent death or severe long- Agodirin et al., 2019). term health consequences (WHO, 2016; Elhassan Training healthcare workers in the management of et al., 2021). paediatric emergencies is essential to improving The incidence and pattern of paediatric outcomes in these critical situations. Studies have emergencies tend to be consistent across regions shown that targeted training programs can with similar socio-demographic characteristics, significantly enhance the preparedness of reflecting common public health challenges and healthcare workers, thereby reducing morbidity resource limitations. For example, a study and mortality rates in paediatric emergencies conducted in Khartoum, Sudan, reported that (Auerbach et al., 2018; Topjian et al., 2020). respiratory tract infections accounted for 33% of However, despite the recognized importance of paediatric emergencies, followed by diarrheal training, there remains a paucity of studies disorders (29.9%), infectious diseases (8.3%), evaluating the effectiveness of such programs in severe malaria (5.5%), and severe acute Nigeria's PHC settings, particularly in northern malnutrition (3.5%) (Elhassan et al., 2021). These regions like Zaria, Kaduna State. findings align with those from other regions in The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 emphasized the Sub-Saharan Africa, where similar patterns have importance of primary health care as a key been observed. In a five-year review of paediatric strategy for achieving "Health for All" by the year admissions at the Children's Emergency Room of 2000, highlighting the need for accessible, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital equitable, and affordable health care services. In (UNTH) in Enugu, the most frequent emergencies Nigeria, PHC is the cornerstone of the health policy included febrile convulsions (21.5%), severe and represents the first level of contact between malaria with anaemic heart failure (18.4%), acute individuals and the health care system (WHO, pneumonia (16.1%), diarrheal diseases (12.3%), 2008). However, the effectiveness of PHC in sickle cell anaemia crises (7.6%), acute Nigeria is often compromised by inadequate neurological conditions (7.6%), and acute severe infrastructure, limited access to essential drugs, asthma (5.2%) (Fagbamigbe et al., 2017; Oguonu et and a shortage of trained personnel (Oleribe et al., al., 2018). These studies underscore the critical 2016; Suberu, Obohwemu & Soyobi, 2024; Suberu need for effective training programs tailored to the et al., 2024a). The situation is exacerbated in rural specific emergency care needs in paediatric areas, where the burden of disease is higher and populations, particularly in regions where these the availability of trained healthcare workers is conditions are prevalent. lower (Fagbamigbe et al., 2017; Suberu et al., The high burden of paediatric emergencies, 2024b). particularly in low-resource settings, underscores The need for a comprehensive Paediatric the critical need for effective emergency https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajiir 206 THE USA JOURNALS THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH (ISSN- 2642-7478) VOLUME 06 ISSUE11 Emergency Management Training Program for 2014). PHC workers in Zaria is underscored by the Study Design region's high under-five mortality rates, which are A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed among the highest in Nigeria (NDHS, 2013). The to evaluate the paediatric emergency management lack of trained personnel in these settings often skills of healthcare workers in th