THE IMPACT OF PAEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SKILLS ON PATIENT OUTCOMES IN ZARIA

Paediatric emergencies represent a critical challenge in Nigeria, where approximately 2,300 children under the age of five die daily, predominantly from preventable and treatable conditions such as pneumonia, malaria, and diarrheal diseases. Mortality rates are disproportionately higher in rural areas, where primary health care (PHC) centers often serve as the only point of access to medical services. The effectiveness of these centers is largely dependent on the emergency management skills of their healthcare workers. Despite their importance, there has been limited research on how the skills of PHC workers in managing paediatric emergencies impact patient outcomes.

This study aimed to assess the proficiency of healthcare workers in primary healthcare centers in Zaria in managing common paediatric emergencies. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 139 health workers selected through a multi-stage sampling technique in Sabon Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas. Data collection was carried out using a pre-tested semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, and associations were tested using the chi-square test, with results presented in tables and charts.

The findings revealed a significant deficiency in the emergency management skills of healthcare workers. A majority of respondents demonstrated inadequate skills in handling paediatric emergencies, with 66 (48.5%) exhibiting very poor competency in the management of common paediatric emergencies, and 32 (23.5%) displaying poor competency. Only a small fraction, 4 (2.9%) of respondents, demonstrated excellent skills in emergency management. Similarly, 46.7% of the respondents had very poor skills in the treatment of common paediatric emergencies, while only 3.0% exhibited excellent treatment skills. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the level of academic qualification and emergency management skills (p < 0.05).

The results underscore the critical need to enhance the skill levels of healthcare workers in PHCs through continuous professional development. This could be achieved through collaborative efforts between the Department of Paediatrics at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and the Primary Health Care Departments of Zaria and Sabon Gari local governments, focusing on regular training and workshops. Improving the skills of healthcare workers in managing paediatric emergencies is essential for reducing child mortality and improving health outcomes in the region.

儿科急症是尼日利亚面临的一项严峻挑战：该国每日约有2300名5岁以下儿童死亡，其中绝大多数死于肺炎、疟疾、腹泻等可预防、可治疗的疾病。农村地区的死亡率显著偏高，而当地的初级卫生保健（primary health care, PHC）中心往往是民众获取医疗服务的唯一渠道。此类机构的服务效能，在很大程度上取决于其医护人员的急症管理能力。尽管这些机构至关重要，但针对PHC医护人员的儿科急症管理技能如何影响患者预后的相关研究仍较为匮乏。

本研究旨在评估扎里亚地区初级卫生保健中心医护人员处理常见儿科急症的能力。研究采用横断面描述性研究设计，在萨邦加里（Sabon Gari）与扎里亚地方政府辖区内，通过多阶段抽样法选取139名医护人员作为研究对象。数据收集采用经过预试验的半结构化自填式问卷完成。数据分析使用SPSS 21版本软件完成，组间关联采用卡方检验进行验证，研究结果以表格与图表形式呈现。

研究结果显示，医护人员的急症管理能力存在显著不足。多数受访者处理儿科急症的技能不达标：66名（48.5%）受访者在常见儿科急症管理方面能力极差，32名（23.5%）能力欠佳；仅极少数受访者（4名，2.9%）具备优秀的急症管理技能。同样，46.7%的受访者在常见儿科急症治疗方面能力极差，仅3.0%具备优秀的治疗技能。研究还发现，学历水平与急症管理技能之间存在统计学意义上的显著关联（p<0.05）。

本研究结果凸显了通过持续专业发展提升PHC医护人员技能水平的迫切必要性。这可通过艾哈迈杜·贝洛大学教学医院儿科与扎里亚、萨邦加里地方政府初级卫生保健部门的协作实现，重点开展常态化培训与专题研讨会。提升医护人员的儿科急症管理技能，对降低该地区儿童死亡率、改善民众健康预后至关重要。