Knowledge and preventive practices against Lassa fever among heads of households in Abakaliki metropolis, Southeast Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Lassa fever is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the knowledge and preventive measures against Lassa fever among heads of households in Abakaliki metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A four-stage sampling design was used to select 420 respondents from Abakaliki metropolis. A good knowledge of Lassa fever was determined by the proportion of respondents scoring ⩾50% in 15 variables. Good preventive practices against Lassa fever were determined by the proportion of respondents obtaining a score of ⩾50% in 12 variables. Results: The mean age of respondents was 34.1±9.4 years, and the majority (56.5%) were males. Major sources of information included television (66.4%) and radio (64.3%). A minority (11.0%) consume rats at present, while 86.7% knew that rats could transmit Lassa fever to humans. The majority (60.0%) had a good knowledge of Lassa fever, while 66.4% demonstrated good preventive practices. A predictor of good knowledge included being a consumer of rats, (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.9). Predictors of good preventive practices included being in a low socio-economic class (AOR=2.1; 95% CI 1.3–3.6) and having a good knowledge of Lassa fever (AOR=10.2; 95% CI: 6.2–10.6). Conclusions: The majority of respondents had a good knowledge of Lassa fever and demonstrated good preventive practices against it. A good knowledge of Lassa fever was associated with good preventive practices. There is need for a good understanding of Lassa fever among the population, as this will improve preventive practices. Health workers have an important role to play in disseminating information concerning Lassa fever.