AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PRINT MEDIA IN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN OF LASSA FEVER IN NIGERIA
chapter One
Foreword
1.2 Research Background
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans are infected through contact with infected animals. The reservoir or host of Lassa virus is rodents of the genus Mastomys, commonly known as ‘polymammalian rats’. Mastomys rats infected with Lassa virus do not become ill, but are able to shed the virus in their urine and faeces. was difficult to do. However, once the presence of the disease is confirmed in the community, rapid isolation of affected patients, appropriate infection prevention and control practices, and rigorous contact tracing can stop the outbreak. .
Lassa fever has been reported in the Republic of Benin (first diagnosed in November 2014), Ghana (first diagnosed in October 2011), Guinea, Liberia and Mali (first diagnosed in February 2009). known to be endemic in , Sierra Leone and Nigeria. But probably also in other West African countries (Uzoma, 2014). Humans are usually infected with Lassa virus through exposure to the urine and feces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus can also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other excretions of an infected person with Lassa fever (Kiragu, 2002). There is no epidemiological evidence of airborne transmission between humans. Human-to-human transmission occurs both in community and health care settings where the virus spreads through contaminated medical equipment. B. Recycled needles can be popularized. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported. Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and men and women. Most at risk are those living in rural areas where mastomy is common, especially those living in communities with poor sanitation and cramped living conditions. Health care workers are at risk when caring for Lassa fever patients if they lack appropriate barrier care and infection prevention and control practices (Agudosi, 2007).
Lassaviruses are transmitted by rodents and may have implications for disease ecology and public health. The world’s first case of Lassa fever was identified in 1969 in Lassa, a settlement in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria (Bausch, 2001). It is acquired by contact with feces or urine of infected rodents, inhalation of contaminated dust, ingestion of contaminated food, or contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. The multimally mouse Mastomys natalensis is a reservoir of arena rodents. responsible virus.
Nigeria is now undoubtedly endemic for Lassa fever, with a national survey observing a seroprevalence of 21.3%. In 2016 and 2017 he made a brief comparison of Lassa fever viral loads in Nigeria in January and August. In 2016, 9.53% of suspected cases were laboratory confirmed by week 32. However, of his 75 laboratory-confirmed cases, 90 died. H. 120% laboratory mortality. This means that 20% of observed Lassa fever-related deaths were not confirmed as cases by laboratory testing, indicating a systematic gap in disease detection and surveillance. However, as of 2017, this observed gap in health system detection and surveillance of infectious diseases and outbreaks had not been adequately addressed (Moore, 2016). Of the suspected cases of Lassa fever, 24.68% were laboratory-confirmed and 59.79% of laboratory-confirmed cases died. This was a significant improvement over the previous year, when mortality occurred in non-laboratory-confirmed cases. 40.21% of him in the lab confirmed these scenarios.
A similar study was conducted by Kiragu (2002, p. 18) to determine the impact of print media messages in promoting healthy living in Nigeria. Their findings prove that print media campaigns through print and advocacy have been successful in communicating policies to the public. According to Kiragu (2002), Sentinel Clinic first-time users increased by 24% from his pre-campaign levels, and continued users by 30%.
In addition, it is important to recognize that print media and communication in general are powerful tools that can be used to improve public health, particularly in combating Lassa fever, polio and many other deadly diseases. disease, international organizations such as the World Health Organization. The United Nations and other related organizations have made extensive use of the print media to educate the public and work to stem the spread of these deadly diseases. For example, the Rollback Malaria Campaign and Vaccination Program are good examples of the widespread use of print media to promote the campaign (Bello, 2012). From the above, it can be inferred that the Nigerian media has fulfilled its social responsibility by informing the public of the outbreak of a deadly disease in the country.
1.2 Problem Description
Lassa fever is a life-threatening disease and a well-known endemic infection of poverty that has developed into a severe outbreak of public health threat and burden in Nigeria. Patients with Lassa fever often present with fever, myalgia, cough, sore throat, vomiting, retrosternal pain, chills, and flu-like headache. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications and death. Lassa fever separates families and drives them into poverty. Poorer, it costs the country around Naira 140 billion a year. It interferes with a child’s education and social development in general. So the questions this study entails are:
What role does the print media play in raising awareness and awareness of Lassa fever?
1.3 Purpose of the survey
The basic objectives of this survey are to:
Investigating the nature of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
Determining the level of awareness of Lassa fever in Nigeria. Awareness of print media campaigns against Lassa fever in Nigeria.
How to Investigate Demographic Factors Influencing Audience Perceptions of Lassa Fever Campaigns by Nigerian Print Media?
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