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Development of paediatric critical care in northwestern Nigeria: Initial implementation with a needs assessment model
Abdullahi Ibrahim1, Elizabeth Scruth2, Adebayo Adeyinka3
1Intensive Care Unit, Aminu kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.
Insights
A needs assessment in northwestern Nigeria identified critical gaps in paediatric critical care. Findings highlight an urgent need for enhanced training and resources to improve care for critically ill children.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric critical care
- Global health equity
- Healthcare workforce development
Background:
- High paediatric morbidity and mortality in northwestern Nigeria linked to vaccine-preventable diseases and inadequate critical care training.
- Pediatric Universal Life-Saving Effort Inc. (PULSE) partnered with Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- Conduct a needs assessment for paediatric intensive care resources in northwestern Nigeria.
- Identify barriers to delivering paediatric critical care services.
- Establish a hub for paediatric critical care educational programs.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online survey was distributed to medical and nursing staff across nine healthcare institutions in northwestern Nigeria.
Main Results:
- Care for critically ill children was primarily provided by anaesthesiologists (77%), pediatricians (26%), and adult intensivists (10%).
- Essential needs identified include clinical skills acquisition (65%), adequate staffing (19%), continuing education (13%), and equipment availability (3%).
Conclusions:
- A significant need for paediatric critical care training and resources exists in northwestern Nigeria.
- The needs assessment provides crucial data for developing capacity-building and training programs.
Introduction:
There is high paediatric morbidity and mortality in northwestern Nigeria, attributable in part to vaccine-preventable illnesses and lack of comprehensive training of medical and nursing staff in the healthcare delivery of paediatric critical care. Pediatric Universal Life-Saving Effort Inc. (PULSE), a New York-based nonprofit organisation with a mission to develop paediatric critical care in resource-limited settings, collaborated with Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital to decrease the gaps in knowledge and skills of medical and nursing personnel. The joint effort also aims to address and remove barriers to the delivery of paediatric critical care in northwestern Nigeria. The primary objective was to perform a needs assessment for paediatric intensive care resources in northwestern Nigeria, identify barriers to delivering these services, and designate a hub for the development of paediatric critical care educational programs for healthcare professionals.
Methods:
An anonymous survey was designed and distributed using SurveyMonkey® online software to medical and nursing staff from nine healthcare institutions in northwestern Nigeria.
Results:
Analysis from 67 responses revealed that care delivered to critically ill paediatric patients was by anaesthesiologists (77%), pediatricians (26%), and adult intensive care specialists (10%). The acquisition of clinical skills was perceived to be an essential need (65%), followed by adequate staffing of critical care units (19%), continuing medical and nursing education (13%), and availability of medical equipment (3%).
Discussion:
There is an identified need for paediatric critical care training and resources in northwestern Nigeria.
Conclusion:
The needs assessment conducted has provided important results that will form the basis for building staff capacity and training programs for paediatric critical care in northwestern Nigeria.
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