You have no items in your shopping cart.
ABSTRACT
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease with increasing critical public health implications. This research therefore assesses the level of adherence to the preventive practices of Lassa fever transmission in Edo CentralRegion, Nigeria. The study examined the; levels of residents’ awareness of Lassa fever transmission, residents’ knowledge of Lassa fever preventive practices, environmental and socioeconomic factors influencing adherence to the preventive practices, adherence and implementation of Lassa fever preventive practices and the planning implications of adherence to the practices.The study employed a cross-sectional survey design with the multi-stage and systematic sampling techniques employed in the selection of study communities. Questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviews were employed in evaluating the environmental and socioeconomic factors, as well as respondents’ knowledge and level of adherence to the preventive practices of Lassa fever.Findings indicate that while awareness of Lassa fever, its transmission pathways and its preventive practices are high, adoption and adherence to the preventive practices is moderate. Findings also revealed a significant variation in the level of adherence among the five local government areas in Edo Central Region. Socioeconomic and environmental factors such as poverty, occupation, age, lack of water, poor housing conditions, seasonal climate variation, and poor waste management practices were key determinants of adherence to the preventive practices of Lassa fever accounting for a 73% variation in level of adherence. The study recommended tailored messaging through engagement of community leaders and critical stakeholders to improve the adoption of preventive practices. Barriers to the adoption of preventive practices need to be addressed by setting up initiatives that will enhance the socioeconomic and environmental conditions of the region and access to essential services. Environmental interventions such as provision of potable water and waste management facilities are also advocated given their criticality to residents’ capacity to adhere to the preventive practices of Lassa fever in Edo Central Region, Nigeria.
