Knowledge, attitude and practice relating to lassa fever among shop owners in four community markets in a military barrack in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Joint Event on 9^th International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases & 6^th World Congress on Control and Prevention of HIV/AIDS, STDs & STIs

August 27-28, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Elsie Uduak Onwunhafua

Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

The Lassa fever season has lasted longer and generated more cases and deaths than expected in Nigeria since last year. A cross sectional study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of shop owners of four community markets in a military barrack in Kaduna State, Nigeria towards Lassa fever virus. Structured questionnaires were prepared and administered to 200 respondents by face to face interview. The questionnaire sought information on demographic characteristics of the respondents, Lassa fever awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice towards Lassa fever virus. Associations between demographic variables and categorized knowledge, attitude or practice scores were assessed using Ï?2 analysis. The mean knowledge score of respondents was 11.5 out of 16 items scored, 5.6 out of 9 for attitude and 5.2 out of 7 in the practice of the respondents towards Lassa fever virus. Among the 200 respondents, 128 (64%) knew that Lassa fever virus is a highly infectious viral disease and 153 (76.5%) knew it is found in rats. Also, 190 (95%) said they will go to the hospital if they have symptoms while, all of them agreed it is good to wash hands often. Respondents who had tertiary education were 0.2 times more likely to have good knowledge (OR=0.23, 95% CI on OR=0.13-0.54) than those with less education. Positive attitude towards Lassa fever virus improved with increase in the level of education, as respondents with no formal education were more likely to have negative attitude (OR=2.04, 95% CI on OR=0.66-6.33). Respondents in community market four (CM-4) were 2.45 times more likely to have good practice than respondents in other community markets. The findings in this study show that the respondents have a good knowledge, positive attitude and practice towards Lassa fever virus nonetheless, awareness programs should continue; proper medical care should be provided for the sick and protective gears should be available to health care workers. Prevention of Lassa fever largely relies on community engagement and promoting hygienic conditions to discourage rodents in the surroundings.

Biography :

Elsie Uduak Onwunhafua is a Fellow in College of Veterinary Surgeons, Nigeria. Her academic career in the veterinary profession started 25 years ago in the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria where she obtained the Degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine. At present she is an Equine Surgeon and Equitation Tutor at the Nigerian Defence Academy. She has many publications to her credit in reputable journals and is the Author of a book titled “Molecular Identification of Yeasts Associated with Bovine Mastitis”.

E-mail: uduakem@yahoo.com