Awareness of Lassa Fever in a Rural Community in South West Nigeria
Journal Title: Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Lassa fever is an acute, virulent viral haemorrhagic illness with high morbidity and mortality rates. Its awareness remains low in sub urban or rural community. This study was carried out to assess the awareness of Lassa fever of a rural community in the south western part of Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study of 122 respondents prior to a sensitization seminar on Lassa fever was carried out at Ijebu – Owo, Owo in Ondo State. Interviewer guided questionnaire was used to collect information and analysed with SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were done and frequencies and proportions were used to summarize variables of interest. Association between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness were explored using chi square. Level of significance was set at 5%. The mean age of the respondents was 54.5±19.2years. Of the 122 respondents, 50.8% were males, three out of four (73.8%) were married, and 87.7% had secondary education and below. Those who had previously heard about Lassa fever were 17.2%. In all 7(46.7%) who had tertiary education had previously heard about Lassa fever compared to 14(13.1%) respondents who had secondary education and below (p=0.001). The study showed that there was poor awareness of Lassa fever among members of the community. Thus efforts should be made to increase the awareness of the populace through health campaigns, and to reduce the spread of both the vector and the virus. Keywords: Lassa fever, Mortality, Environmental hygiene, Health campaign, Awareness.
Authors and Affiliations
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi, Bridget Omotoso, Faith Osaretin Alele, Peter Adewuyi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP372803
- DOI -
- Views 37
- Downloads 0
A prospective analytical study of pain control during transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy: Combined periprostatic nerve block with lignocaine gel and only intrarectal lignocaine gel.
To evaluate the efficacy of two different analgesic techniques during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy. It may help in highlighting the importance of implementing an analgesic protocol. In this prosp...
Obesity Related Adipokine Resistin Molecular Actions and Clinical Significance in Breast Cancer
Globally at present cancer and obesity are two greatest health concerns. Obesity and its metabolic complications have rapidly become major global health issues and are associated with increased risk for cancer, especiall...
The Use of Videolaryngoscope in a Difficult Intubation Patient with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome is a congenital disease associated with macrosomia, macroglossia, abdomianl wall defects, hemihypertrophy, neonatal hypoglicemia, microcephaly and musculoskeletal system abnormalities. The aim...
Peripheral Arterial Disease in Proven Coronary Artery Disease
Abstract: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality leading to adverse outcome. It is a marker of increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary arteria...
HPLC: An Ideal Methodology and Screening Tool for Diagnosis of Haemoglobinopathies in Paediatric Age Group in Southern Odisha
Abstract: Haemoglobinopathies are the common genetic disorders of haemoglobin.Identification of these disorders are immensely important epidemiologically. HPLC-The bio-rad variant-II haemoglobin testing system is a total...