KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF REPORTING ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING IMMUNIZATION AMONG PRIMARY HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN JIGAWA STATE, NORTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) upsets people when it occurs, to the extent that they refuse further
immunizations for their children. AEFI surveillance, helps to preserve public confidence in the immunization program.
It is carried out regularly during both routine and supplemental immunization activities in the State. Inability to find
reporting form(s), lack of awareness of reporting system, fear by the Healthcare worker of perceived consequences of
reporting, and fear of litigation all negatively contribute to reporting AEFI. Aim of this study is to determine
knowledge and practice of reporting adverse events following immunization among primary healthcare workers in
Jigawa State. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 healthcare workers (HCWs) selected through
multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using pre-tested self-administered structured questionnaire with
open and closed ended questions. Data collected was sorted, checked for completeness and entered into computer
analysis software (IBM SPSS version 20) for analysis. Results obtained were presented in tables and charts. All
statistical tests were two-tailed with p value < 0.05 used as statistical significance level. Most (57.6%) of the
respondents were aged between 21-30 years with mean age of 31.3±7.4 years. Up to 95.9% of the primary HCWs
were aware of AEFI, and seminars/workshops were the common sources of information on AEFI. Only 43.2% of the
primary HCWs could define AEFI correctly, 51.3% and 31.4% could identify serious and non-serious (minor) as types
of AEFIs respectively. About 21.6% of the respondents had good knowledge on AEFI reporting while 61.5% of them
had good practice of AEFI reporting. Up to 79.3% of primary HCWs that encountered AEFI reported it to the disease
surveillance and notification officer (DSNO). There was high awareness of AEFI among primary health care workers,
however, only few of them had good knowledge on AEFI and its reporting. Most of the HCWs had good practice of
AEFI reporting and majority of them that encountered an AEFI reported it. Years of experience, knowledge on AEFI
and experience in practice of AEFI reporting were factors that influence reporting of AEFI among the HCWs. The
State in collaboration with Local Government Authorities should provide quality training on AEFI surveillance and
ensure regular supportive supervision for all primary healthcare workers in immunization clinics or units.