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ES Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.59152/ESJPH/1013

ISSN: 2994-9637

No One is Leaving this Time: Appraisal of Awareness and Knowledge of Port Health Officers on International Health Regulation IHR (2005)

  • Research Article

  • Adiama Babatunde Yusuf1*, Solomon Olayinka Adewoye1, Opasola Afolabi Olaniyi1, Habeeb Modupe Lateefat1, Abdullahi Ahmed2 and Morufu Olalekan Raimi1,3
  • 1Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria
  • 2Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
  • 3Department of Community Medicine, Environmental Health Unit, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
  • *Corresponding author: Adiama Babatunde Yusuf, Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria
  • Received: April 01, 2022;Accepted: April 26, 2022; Published: April 28, 2022

Abstract

Background: Historically, ships have played an important role in transmitting infectious diseases around the world. The spread of cholera pandemics in the 19th century was thought to be linked to trade routes and facilitated by merchant shipping. The international maritime traffic of people and goods has often contributed to the spread of pathogens affecting public health.

Objectives: To assess level of awareness and knowledge of international Health regulation (IHR 2005) content among port health officer

Methods: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional evaluation, questionnaires were used to capture the respondents’ knowledge, awareness and sanitary condition of ship in accordance with (IHR 2005)

Results: On awareness and knowledge, Majority of the respondent (77.1 %) demonstrate good awareness of the IHR (2005), while 22.9% had not and some even testified of hearing the said document for the first time. Despite the fact that majority of respondent were aware but only 24.6% of them can actually demonstrate good knowledge of IHR (2005) and its intent to protect and prevent spread of disease along the international route.

Conclusion: There is need to improve the knowledge of port health officers by expand training and guidance on application of the IHR’s to frontline officer at point of entries. Also ensure more thorough inspection and avoid influence of ship agent during inspection of ship.

Keywords

Seaport; International Health Regulation (IHR); Core Public Health Capacity; Awareness and Knowledge