EVALUATING THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH WORKERS IN OMU ARAN AND OTUN EKITI GENERAL HOSPITAL ON THE CAUSES, EFFECTS AND MANAGEMENT OF STREP THROAT

ABSTRACT Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as streptococcal sore throat (strep throat), is pharyngitis (an infection of the pharynx, the back of the throat) caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive, group A streptococcus. (Gottlieb M, et,. al 2020) Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, red tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes in the front of the neck. (Timothy Metal 2019) A headache and nausea or vomiting may also occur. Some develop a sandpaper-like rash which is known as scarlet fever. Symptoms typically begin one to three days after exposure and last seven to ten days. (Gottlieb et al, 2018) Strep throat is spread by respiratory droplets from an infected person, spread by talking, coughing or sneezing, or by touching something that has droplets on it and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. (Timothy Metal 2019) As with all respiratory pathogens once presumed to transmit via respiratory droplets, it is highly likely to be carried by the aerosols generated during routine breathing, talking, and even singing. (Gottlieb M, et,. al 2020) It may be spread directly through touching infected sores. It may also be spread by contact with skin infected with group A strep. Untreated streptococcal pharyngitis usually resolves within a few days. Treatment with antibiotics shortens the duration of the acute illness by about 16 hours. The primary reason for treatment with antibiotics is to reduce the risk of complications such as rheumatic fever and retropharyngeal abscesses. Antibiotics prevent acute rheumatic fever if given within 9 days of the onset of symptoms. In conclusion it can be concluded from my results in chapter four that the health in Otun Ekiti and Omu aran general hospital knows about the causes, signs, treatment and effects of strep throat, as most of their answers where correct as expected since they are certified health practitioners. This means I can conclude that health workers in Otun-ekiti and Omuaran general Hospital have sound knowledge on Strep throat