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Task-shifting training improves stroke knowledge among Nigerian non-neurologist health workers

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Rufus Akinyemi

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Abstract

Background: The increasing stroke burden in sub-Saharan Africa far outstrips the availability of skilled human resource to provide timely and efficient acute, rehabilitative and preventive services. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a short-term task-shifting stroke training program on the stroke knowledge of a cohort of Nigerian non-neurologist health workers (NNHWs).Methods: Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, NNHWs drawn from 53 local government areas of Ogun and Oyo states participated in an intensive, multicomponent one-day stroke workshop. Stroke knowledge was evaluated before and after the training using a self-administered questionnaire.Results: Out of a total of 210 NNHWs who participated in the session, 116 (552%) completed the pre-workshop questionnaire survey of stroke knowledge while 191 (91.0%) completed the post-workshop questionnaire survey. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of the age, gender and professional categories of the two groups. The participants' knowledge was significantly increased at the end of the training about stroke risk factors (p <0.001), stroke symptoms (p <0.001) and how stroke develops (p = 0.009). The proportion of respondents who understood the FAST mnemonic increased from 10.3% before the training to 90.6% at the end of the training (p <0.001). The professional category of participants was associated with knowledge gain about swallowing test and thrombolysis.Conclusion: Our data support the effectiveness of stroke-specific task-shifting training for non-neurologist health workers in a low resource setting. Interim studies with intermediate outcomes are needed to show that improved knowledge results in better care despite resource limitation. Randomized controlled trials will be useful to confirm findings and translate knowledge improvement into practical intervention. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Akinyemi RO, Owolabi MO, Adebayo PB, Akinyemi JO, Otubogun FM, Uvere E, Adeniji O, Adeleye O, Aridegbe O, Taiwo FT, Ogun SA, Ogunniyi A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of the Neurological Sciences

Year: 2015

Volume: 359

Issue: 1-2

Pages: 112-116

Print publication date: 15/12/2015

Online publication date: 24/10/2015

Acceptance date: 08/10/2015

ISSN (print): 0022-510X

ISSN (electronic): 1878-5883

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2015.10.019

DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.10.019


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
World Federation of Neurology
World Stroke Organization
U01 NS079179National Institutes of Health (USA)
U54 HG007479National Institutes of Health (USA)

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