Level of Awareness of Allergology and its Relationship with Continuous Education and Professional Training among Students and Practitioners of Medical Laboratory Science in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Margaret Oyarazi Adebowale Medical Laboratory Scientist https://orcid.org/0009-0006-8040-1104
  • Amaechi Eze Odono Molecular Biologist (Medical Laboratory Scientist) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0559-4410
  • Onyebuchukwu Ugwu Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Johnpaul Nenta Nkop Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Betty Oge Onovoh
  • Victoria Ngozi Okey-Orji
  • Etido Akpanda Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Ezekiel Raymond Dariye Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Moses Abok Medical Laboratory Scientist
  • Peret Danat James-Damen Medical Laboratory Scientist

Abstract

Background: Knowledge and competency in allergology among healthcare professionals is essential in achieving better diagnosis, management, and treatment of allergic conditions. Achieving competency in allergology requires a structured approach to education and professional training. Presently, there is limited information on the knowledge of allergology among Nigerian Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) practitioners and students, whose roles in the diagnosis of allergic disorders cannot be overemphasized. This study was therefore, designed to assess knowledge of allergology among MLS students and practitioners in Jos, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: A total of 530 participants consisting of MLS students and practitioners were enrolled into this exploratory descriptive cross-sectional study. Information on allergology was obtained using a semi-structured interviewer-based questionnaire with both open-ended and close-ended questions. Data were analysed using Chi-square and P-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: More than two-third (68.3%) of the study participants were aware of allergology or allergic diseases. Of all the participants, only 11.1% had allergology included in their training curriculum while 9.1% had attended professional training on allergology. There was significant association between the level of allergology awareness and the inclusion of allergology in MLS training curriculum as well as professional training in allergology.

Conclusion: The level of allergology awareness among MLS students and practitioners in Jos, Nigeria is high but allergology is not accorded the desired attention in the curriculum of MLS students. Therefore, there is the need to include comprehensive modules on allergology in the curriculum of MLS students in Nigeria to achieve the desired competencies in allergology.

 

Author Biographies

  • Margaret Oyarazi Adebowale, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Assistant Deputy Director, Medical Laboratory Services

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Amaechi Eze Odono, Molecular Biologist (Medical Laboratory Scientist)

    Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Onyebuchukwu Ugwu, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Johnpaul Nenta Nkop, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Betty Oge Onovoh

    Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Victoria Ngozi Okey-Orji

    Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Etido Akpanda, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Principal Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Ezekiel Raymond Dariye, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Moses Abok, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

  • Peret Danat James-Damen, Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Medical Laboratory Scientist

    Department of Immunology/Virology

    Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology 

    Jos

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Published

2024-07-16