Cross-sectional Study of the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among Residents of Karu, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Lassa fever is associated with high morbidity and mortality with several laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths reported in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT-Abuja). This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among residents of Karu, Abuja, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study design, using a multistage sampling technique, to select 210 consenting adults was used. A structured, self-administered, pre-coded, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever. Simple proportions, univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The knowledge of Lassa fever was high (80.9%), the attitude towards Lassa fever was positive (77.6%), and the preventive practice towards Lassa fever was also positive (73.8%). Educational qualification significantly influenced the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among the residents of Karu. Marital status had an association with the attitude toward Lassa fever but had no association with the knowledge and preventive practices towards Lassa fever. Gender had an association with the preventive practices towards Lassa fever but had no association with the knowledge and attitude towards Lassa fever. 

There was a high knowledge, attitude and practice of prevention of Lassa fever requiring sustained health education, public awareness campaigns, community sensitization on the importance of early healthcare-seeking behaviour, continuous monitoring and evaluation of the preventive practices towards Lassa fever in Karu to sustain the gains.