Resource availability and capacity to implement multi-stranded cholera interventions in the north-east region of Nigeria.

Background: Limited healthcare facility (HCF) resources and capacity to implement multi-stranded cholera interventions (water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), surveillance, case management, and community engagement) can hinder the actualisation of the global strategic roadmap goals for cholera control, especially in settings made fragile by armed conflicts, such as the north-east region of Nigeria. Therefore, we aimed to assess HCF resource availability and capacity to implement these cholera interventions in Adamawa and Bauchi States in Nigeria as well as assess their coordination in both states and Abuja where national coordination of cholera is based.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a face-to-face structured questionnaire to collect data on multi-stranded cholera interventions and their respective indicators in HCFs.

Healthcare workers knowledge of cholera multi-stranded interventions and its determining factors in North-East Nigeria: planning and policy implications.

Background: Healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge of multi-stranded cholera interventions (including case management, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), surveillance/laboratory methods, coordination, and vaccination) is crucial to the implementation of these interventions in healthcare facilities, especially in conflict-affected settings where cholera burden is particularly high. We aimed to assess Nigerian HCWs' knowledge of cholera interventions and identify the associated factors.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with HCWs from 120 healthcare facilities in Adamawa and Bauchi States, North-East Nigeria.

Self-reported diseases and their associated risk factors among camp-dwelling conflict-affected internally displaced populations in Nigeria.

Background Conflict in Nigeria displaced millions of people, and some settled in camp-like locations within the country. Evidence on the association between living conditions and health outcomes among these populations are limited. This study investigated the risk factors associated with illnesses among camp-dwelling internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Nigeria.

'Everybody in Nigeria is a doctor…': a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives on lay diagnosis of malaria and pneumonia in Nigeria.

Background: Lay diagnosis is a widely used diagnostic approach for home management of common illnesses in Nigeria. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of caregivers and healthcare professionals on lay diagnosis of childhood malaria and pneumonia. Aligned to this, the study sought to explore the feasibility of training caregivers in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines for improved recognition and treatment of these diseases.

An audit of healthcare provision in internally displaced population camps in Nigeria.

Background: Armed conflict in Nigeria resulted in more than 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). IDPs live in poor conditions lacking basic resources with variable provision across different locations. This audit aimed to determine the health-related resources available to IDPs in camp-like settings in Nigeria and whether these met international standards.

A content analysis of the UK press response to the diagnosis of Ebola in a British healthcare worker.

Background: The Ebola epidemic led to considerable media attention, which may influence public risk perception. Therefore, this study analysed the UK press response following diagnosis of a British healthcare worker (HCW) with Ebola.

Methods: Using the Nexis database, the frequency of Ebola-related articles in UK national newspaper articles was mapped.

Smoking and Looked-After Children: A Mixed-Methods Study of Policy, Practice, and Perceptions Relating to Tobacco Use in Residential Units.

Despite the implementation of smoke-free policies by local authorities and a statutory requirement to promote the health and well-being of looked-after children and young people in England, rates of tobacco use by this population are substantially higher than in the general youth population. A mixed-methods study, comprising a survey of residential care officers in 15 local authority-operated residential units and semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with residential carers in three local authority-operated residential units, was conducted in the East Midlands. Survey data were descriptively analysed; and interview data were transcribed and analysed using thematic framework analysis.

The impact of breastfeeding peer support for mothers aged under 25: a time series analysis.

Breastfeeding has known positive health benefits for babies and mothers, yet the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates in Europe. Despite national guidance that recommends provision of breastfeeding peer support, there is conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness, especially in high-income countries, and a lack of evidence among young mothers. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a breastfeeding peer support service (BPSS) in one UK city in increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration in young mothers.

Is there an association between the coverage of immunisation boosters by the age of 5 and deprivation? An ecological study.

Objective: To determine whether there was an association between the coverage of booster immunisation of Diphtheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis and Polio (DTaP/IPV) and second Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) dose by age 5 in accordance with the English national immunisation schedule by area-level socioeconomic deprivation and whether this changed between 2007/08 and 2010/11.

Design: Ecological study.

Data: Routinely collected national Cover of Vaccination Evaluated Rapidly data on immunisation coverage for DTaP/IPV booster and second MMR dose by age 5 and the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD).

Comparing regional infant death rates: the influence of preterm births <24 weeks of gestation.

Objective: To investigate regional variation in the registration of preterm births <24 weeks of gestation and the impact on infant death rates for English Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: England.

Application of health equity audit to health visiting.

Equitable access to health care services is an important driver to improve health. The link between socio-economic status and ill health has long been established and yet some population groups are still disadvantaged in accessing services. Health equity audit is a tool that enables the identification and redistribution of resources on the basis of need.

Building for health? The construction managers of tomorrow.

Attitudes to health and health promotion have an impact on health-related behaviour. This is important when considering the different settings where health promotion can take place. The workplace is increasingly becoming recognised as an important setting for health promotion.

Promoting health in the construction industry?

The construction industry has long been regarded as a high-risk industry in relation to health and safety issues. The purpose of this research was to investigate the extent of occupational health and safety provision within the residential development sector of the construction industry in Britain. An additional aim was to gauge the sectors' attitudes toward health promotion.