MANAGEMENTOFDIPHTHERIA

Diphtheria remains a serious public health concern, particularly in developing countries, wherehealthcare systems may face resource and training limitations. Nurses play a critical role intheearly recognition, management, and prevention of diphtheria outbreaks. This study wasadescriptive cross-sectional survey conducted to assess the knowledge and management practicesregarding diphtheria among nurses at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), BeninCity, Nigeria. A total of 236 questionnaires were distributed using a stratified samplingtechnique to ensure fair representation across departments. Out of these, 231 were properlyfilled and valid for data analysis, giving a response rate of 97.8%. Data were analyzed usingtheStatistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. The findings revealed that 82%demonstrated good knowledge, while 83% showed good knowledge of diphtheria management. Asignificant proportion (82.0%) of the respondents had a positive attitude toward diphtheriamanagement, whereas 18% exhibited negative or indif erent attitudes. However, several challenges were identified. Notably, 70.6% of the nurses reported inadequate availabilityof personal protective equipment (PPE), 80.1% cited limited access to diphtheria antitoxin, 80.1%indicated insuf icient training opportunities, and 69.7% highlighted the absence of clearmanagement protocols as a major obstacle to ef ective care. In conclusion, while the majorityof nurses held a positive outlook toward diphtheria management, gaps in knowledge and numeroussystemic challenges were evident. These issues may hinder the ef ective response to diphtheriaoutbreaks and impact patient outcomes. It is therefore recommended that regular in-servicetraining be provided to update and reinforce nurses’ knowledge and skills. Additionally, improving access to essential supplies such as PPE and antitoxins, along with the development and implementation of clear institutional protocols, is essential for enhancing nurses’ capacityto manage diphtheria ef ectively