Knowledge, Attitude and Prevention of Lassa fever Transmission among Women in Nnewi North Lga, Anambra State, Nigeria
Solomon Chetachukwu Areji
Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnew, Nigeria.
Kelechi Raphael Onyenemezu *
College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
John Chiedu Ubah
Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK.
Jennifer Makuochukwu Akosa
College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
Chukwuemelie Darlington Okeke
Department of Internal Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Izuchukwu Onyenemezu `
School of Health and Live Sciences, Teesside University, England.
Hyginus Echezona Okonkwo
Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Obinna Valentine Ikwuka
College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
Tobechukwu Chinenye Ezike
College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Purpose: Lassa fever is a disease of public health concern associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is noted to be endemic in the west-African Lassa fever belt with seasonal variations usually associated with epidemics. Nigeria among other countries is known to suffer from this. This study aims to determine the Knowledge, attitude, and prevention of Lassa Fever transmission among women in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State and contributory factors.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among women in Nnewi between 1st to 30th September, 2022. Data was collected using pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire among 252 respondents. It was analyzed with SPSS version 25.0.
Results: Their mean age was 33.40 years ranging from 18-69 years. Overall, 80.2% of the respondents had good knowledge on Lassa fever, 77.8% had good attitude towards prevention and 84.9% showed a good level of practice of its prevention. Educational level was a statistically significant factor in all these. 21% of respondents reported knowledge through health workers.
Conclusion: There is a high level of knowledge, attitude, and transmission prevention among women resident in Nnewi with educational status being a major determinant. This will significantly help to reduce the burden of and transmission of the disease though the means of awareness differed among different individuals.
Practical Implication: There is a need to improve public health awareness by health workers in order to improve the integrity and content of the population’s health education.
Keywords: Anambra, attitude, hemorrhagic fever, knowledge, Lassa fever, prevention, virus