Knowledge and Compliance with Lassa fever Radio Campaigns in Selected States in Nigeria

Abstract

Several researches have been conducted on Lassa fever in Nigeria; however, no research had evaluated the people’s knowledge of and their compliance with these radio campaigns in the endemic states under study. This study seeks to evaluate the audiences’ knowledge and compliance with the radio campaign messages towards curtailing the spread of the Lassa fever. The study adopted survey research design. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 385 respondents while structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed with descriptive statistical tools and results presented using tables and charts. There is a high level of exposure to and knowledge of radio campaigns against Lassa fever among residents of the select states as confirmed by 88.1% and 78% respectively. However, the campaigns did not significantly influence the behaviour of the respondents who live in the rural areas as they still see rats as source of meat with the belief that dirt does not kill Africans. There is need for more strategic campaign measures to instill personal and environmental hygiene among illiterate population of the rural dwellers.