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Lassa fever prevention in Nigeria: A study of a multi-disciplinary mix of healthcare workers in a referral treatment centre in Nigeria
Abstract
Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are especially susceptible to Lassa fever (LF) due to the close contact they have with patients. Ebonyi State is endemic for Lassa Fever with recurrent outbreaks that have had catastrophic affectation on health workers constantly at risk of this infection. This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitude and practice toward Lassa fever prevention and control in a tertiary hospital in Ebonyi State Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki among 386 healthcare workers selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Proportionate allocation was used to select various disciplines and data was collected using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using Epi-Info version 7.2.
Results: Over half of the respondents were females (214/386, 55.4%) with a mean age of 38±6.8 years. The majority had good knowledge of clinical presentations, the transmission of Lassa fever and Lassa fever prevention and control (316/386, 81.9%). Respondents who had previous training IPC (infection prevention and control) training were 1.9 times (AOR: 1.9, C.I 1.07-3.37) more knowledgeable than others. There was good attitude towards Lassa fever prevention and control (369/386, 95.6%) among HCWs. However, only 28.2% (109/386) of the respondents had adequate preventive practices towards Lassa fever. Males (AOR: 0.4, C.I 0.27-0.72), HCW with tertiary education(AOR:0.4 C.I 0.23-0.83) and HCW who had contact with patients (AOR 0.4 C.I 0.26-0.68) were 2.5 times less likely to have good practice. HCWs with less than 10 years of working experience in the hospital were 1.6 times less (AOR 0.6 C.I 0.34-0.95)likely to have good practice to Lassa fever prevention.
Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude towards LF prevention and control were good while the practice was poor. Sex, educational status, patient contact and health workers' years working in the facility were the factors associated with practice among them. To enhance LF preventive practices, we recommend the provision of protective devices, routine training and supportive supervision of health workers with a special focus on those prone to poor practices.
