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. 2023 Oct 1;14(9):2001.
doi: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2001.

Knowledge and practices associated with Lassa fever in rural Nigeria: Implications for prevention and control

Olukemi Aromolaran  1 , Timothy Kayode Samson  2 , Olutayo Israel Falodun  3
Affiliations

Knowledge and practices associated with Lassa fever in rural Nigeria: Implications for prevention and control

Olukemi Aromolaran et al. J Public Health Afr. .

Abstract

Lassa fever (LF) is a haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa, which can be attributed to poor rat control and poor sanitation, especially in the rural communities. Increasing awareness and education about LF has been advocated for its prevention and control. This study investigated the level of awareness and knowledge associated with LF among the residents of Iwo and Oluponna areas of Osun State, southwest Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among the adult residents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysing the data. In total, 534 (79.11%) respondents had heard about LF, but only 15.4% had good knowledge of the disease. Their main source of information was the media (46.3%, P=0.002, P<0.01), while only 21.2% got information from health workers. About 45% of respondents have rats in their houses. Respondents from Iwo were better informed than Oluponna. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated location to be significantly associated with awareness (OR=1.62, C.I=1.078-2.433, P<0.05), knowledge of prevention (OR=5.88, C.I=2.807-12.317, P=0.000, P<0.01) and treatment (OR=1.648, C.I=1.122-2.420, P=0.011, P<0.05). Although the residents of Iwo are better informed about LF than Oluponna residents, the knowledge of the disease is poor in both areas. Health workers should be well informed, and the government should increase enlightenment programmes about LF, especially in rural communities of Nigeria, so as to curtail the spread and prevent outbreaks.

Keywords: Lassa fever; Nigeria; awareness; knowledge; prevention practices.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Maps of Nigeria showing Lassa fever endemic States (A) Osun State (B) and study area (C).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of confirmed laboratory cases of Lassa fever, deaths and case-fatality rate recorded annually from (2014-2020). Data source- www.ncdc.gov.ng; accessed December 31st, 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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