The influence of job category (rank) in the occurrence of infectious diseases among police personnel in south eastern Nigeria from 2012 to 2021

Abstract

The occurrence of infectious diseases among police officers is one of the neglected areas in health and scientific research. The aim of this study is to ascertain and assess the influence of job category (rank) in the occurrence of infectious diseases among police personnel in south eastern Nigeria from 2012 to 2021. The study was designed as a retrospective study using data from the central police clinics/hospitals for the period of ten years covering 2012 – 2021. The study population comprised all the recorded infectious disease data in the three police clinics/hospitals of study for police personnel documented from January 2011 to December 2021. Occurrences of infectious diseases were analysed through descriptive techniques such as construction of the frequency distribution and distribution charts. Chi-square test was performed to test for associating variables of interest in the study. The probability value (P) was used to interpret the significance level at 5% and P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study found the overall rate of occurrence infectious diseases among police officers as 21.1% in the study area. Significant associating factors of infectious diseases occurrence among police personnel found in the study for job category is (P < 0.0001, χ2=74.91, df = 1). Police officers at junior category were the most affected (24.1%) compared to the officers at senior category (11.9%). the rate of occurrence of infectious diseases is significant among junior category (rank) police personnel in the South Eastern Nigeria.