Appraisal of Clinical Application of Oxygen Prescription and Administration in Nigeria

Oxygen is one of the world's most used therapies. Its safe and effective use requires a good knowledge of oxygen therapy guidelines. This study assessed the knowledge of oxygen prescription practices among health workers in Nigeria.

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey among health workers in Nigeria. A self-administered, semi-structured electronic questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected included sociodemographic details, awareness of oxygen therapy guidelines, knowledge of oxygen prescription practices, and challenges of oxygen administration. The outcome measures were to determine health workers' knowledge of safe oxygen prescription and to identify barriers to safe oxygen prescription and administration.

A total of 133 responses were received, comprising 67 (50.4%) physicians and 66 (49.6%) nurses at all levels of public and private health facilities. All respondents have at least one year of working experience. Most respondents (60.9%) had prescribed and/or administered oxygen in the preceding month, but only 36.8% had received training after their basic qualification. Only 60.9% were aware of the existence of an oxygen therapy guideline. The mean percentage score on knowledge of oxygen therapy was 69.3 ± 12.7%. The score was significantly higher among doctors (p < 0.001). The average score for sections assessing oxygen delivery practices and factors affecting pulse oximetry was lower (55.1% and 55%, respectively) than that of the other sections. Cost was the most prominent barrier to oxygen administration. Only 17.3% of respondents reported having an oxygen prescription chart in their hospital. Respondents in public tertiary hospitals were less likely to have pulse oximeters readily available (p = 0.003).

Few healthcare professionals receive training on oxygen therapy. Although overall knowledge was fair, performance on questions assessing oxygen delivery practices was much lower. There is a need for regular in-service training on oxygen therapy for healthcare workers.