KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PERCEPTION OF LASSA FEVER AMONG PEOPLE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Lassa fever is one of the diseases for which Nigerian health officials get weekly epidemiological reports. Over the years, a rapidly changing epidemiological trend had been recorded (Ogbu, Ajuluchukwu and Uneke, 2007). It causes death and morbidity in outbreaks over the world, especially in Nigeria, where it was first discovered in 1969.

A single-stranded RNA virus causes Lassa fever (Healing and Gopal, 2001; Johnson et al.,1987). The fundamental hallmark of this lethal infection is weakened or delayed cellular immunity, which leads to fulminant viraemia, which usually begins as an unrelated fever (Chen and Cosgriff, 2000).

Multimammate rats (Mastomysnatalensis) are the virus’s natural hosts, and they breed often and are found throughout West, Central, and East Africa (Healing and Gopal, 2001). Human-to-human and zoonotic encounters are both possible (Ogbu, Ajuluchukwu and Uneke, 2007).

Some of the causes contributing to disease outbreaks include population mobility, poor sanitation, overcrowding, insufficient resources to handle victims, and poor epidemic preparedness (WHO,2000). Increased international travel and the potential for the Lassa virus to be used as a biological weapon may have increased the risk of injury beyond the local level, emphasizing the need for a better knowledge of Lassa fever and more effective control and treatment programs. Osun State is near to Edo State, which has consistently had the greatest number of suspected and confirmed cases of LF in Nigeria in recent years (NCDC,2012). Because the symptoms of LF are similar to those of malaria, which is widespread in Nigeria, the risk of misdiagnosing LF is considerable. Primary care providers in both public and private clinics are frequently the first to respond to suspected Lassa fever cases, which can also be a source of nosocomial infection. Transmission and spread of the virus are possible in situations where health personnel lack the necessary knowledge and materials to address cases of LF. This influenced the respondents’ selection of Primary Health Care (PHC) workers.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Though several studies have found that health care workers have a strong understanding of LF, many of these research included responders from highly specialized health institutions, and attitudes toward preventive interventions are still classified as low (Ajayi et al.,2013). This is occurring in the context of inadequate universal precaution practice among Nigerian health workers (Kermode et al., 2005), despite the fact that universal precaution practice has improved over time (Amoran and Onwube, 2013). People accessing primary health care in Osun State, Nigeria, were polled on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Lassa disease.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The overall goal of this study is to analyze the knowledge, attitude, and perception of Lassa fever among people who visit primary health care in Osun State, Nigeria. The following are the precise goals:

The purpose of this study was to determine how well individuals in Osun State knew about Lassa fever.
To find out how people in Osun State feel about Lassa fever and how they perceive it.
To determine the relationship between respondents’ socio-demographics and their knowledge, attitude, and perception.
In Osun State, identify the causes, symptoms, and consequences of Lassa fever.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Based on the research project’s goals, the following research questions were developed.

What is the level of Lassa fever awareness among people receiving primary health care in Osun State?
What is the public’s attitude and impression of Lassa fever among Osun State’s PHC patients?
Is there a link between respondents’ knowledge, attitude, and perception and their socio-demographics?
In Osun State, what are the causes, symptoms, and effects of Lassa fever?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study project will be extremely beneficial to communities and stakeholders in the health sector that are interested in policymaking in academia. The findings of the study project will be relevant to health-related policies and important choices.

This work will also act as a reference for future scholars who might be interested in researching this topic.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The knowledge, attitude, and perception of Lassa fever among people visiting primary health care in Osun State, Nigeria, were tested in this study. As a result, the scope of this study is limited to Nigeria’s Osun State.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Certain obstacles, such as time, funds, and the uncooperative attitude of some of the respondents, hampered this research project. Because some of the respondents did not return their questionnaires, this study had drawbacks. Only responses from respondents who completed and submitted their questionnaires accurately were used by the researcher.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Lassa Fever is a viral disease that causes fever and is primarily seen in West Africa. Infected rats are the most common source.

Knowledge is a knowledge, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, information, descriptions, or skills, gained by experience or education through perceiving, discovering, or learning.

The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses is known as perception.