scholarly journals Comparative Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude/Practices and Prevention of Lassa fever among Community Dwellers and Contacts of Confirmed Patients in Endemic Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-144
Author(s):  
Olufemi Samuel Amoo ◽  
Joseph Shaibu ◽  
Olumuyiwa Salu ◽  
Ifeoma Idigbe ◽  
Zaidat Musa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Area ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Public Health Campaign ◽  
Health Campaign ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ondo State ◽  
Mode Of Transmission ◽  
Community Dwellers

Background: The current resurgence and transmission dynamics of Lassa fever (LF) within an endemic community in Nigeria calls for concern. Lassa fever virus is known to be transmitted from rodents to humans as well as from human to human. This study aims to compare the knowledge, attitude/practices and prevention of Community dwellers (CD) and Contacts of confirmed Lassa fever patients (CCP) with respect to LF in an endemic area in Nigeria.  Methodology: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted between 2018 and 2019 during an outbreak of LF disease in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of 250 consenting CD and 104 CCP were randomly selected to participate in this study. They were administered semi-structured questionnaires which were analysed using SPSSv23. Lassa fever disease causative agents, mode of transmission and prevention as well as actions on response to Lassa virus infections were assessed among respondents. Data were analysed and presented using descriptive statistics at 95% confidence interval and (p<0.05) level of significance. Results: The gender distribution for CD was 116 males and 134 females while for CCP, it was 43 males and 61 females. Furthermore, radio (CD= 55.8%, CCP= 20.8%) and public health campaign (CD= 40.4%, CCP= 26.5%) were the major sources of information on Lassa fever among respondents. A larger fraction of CCP (12.5%) erroneously believe mosquitoes are the mode of transmission of Lassa fever compared to CD (4.2%).  Comparison also showed that higher proportion (60.6%) of CCP exhibits poor attitude/practices to Lassa fever infection compared to 4% of CD. Level of education for both CD and CCP respondents were statistically significantly associated with knowledge and prevention of Lassa fever. Conclusion: Comparatively, our study showed poor awareness on Lassa fever diseases, erroneous believes and need for positive attitudinal changes and practices towards LF prevention and control in affected communities. Keywords: Lassa fever, Lassa virus, Endemic area, Contact of Confirmed Patient, Community dweller.

scholarly journals Risk factors for Lassa fever infection among survivors at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-134
Author(s):  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Oluwatosin Temitope Owoeye-Lawal ◽  
Adewale Johnson Aro ◽  
Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika Afolabi ◽  
Adesola Olawumi Kareem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Ondo State

Background and Aim: There is insufficient information about the successfully managed Lassa fever (LF) patients in Nigeria. This study aimed to utilize the One Health approach to identify the risk factors for LF infection among LF patients who were managed and on follow-up at the Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 101 LF survivors who were managed and on follow-up at the Federal Medical Center. The data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The respondents were assessed for symptoms and factors that might have predisposed them to LF, and the data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 (IBM Corp., NY, USA). Those who had more than 3 identifiable risks were categorized as high risk. Descriptive statistics were done, and the association between sociodemographic characteristics and high risk was explored using Chi-square test. Results: The median age of the respondents was 33 years (8-85 years); 62 (61.4%) were male, and 93 (92.1%) have heard of LF before diagnosis. The perceived cause of LF infection among the respondents included the consumption of food contaminated by rats' feces among 57 (56.4%) persons, while 16 (15.8) attributed their infection to contact with LF-infected persons. Among the respondents with primary education and below, 5 (29.4%) were at higher risk for LF infection compared to 7 (8.3%) with secondary education and above (p=0.014). Conclusion: The mass media and other sources of information should be well-harnessed in the communication of risks and preventive practices for LF. Public information campaigns should be organized to discourage bush burning in affected communities.

Sleep Reactivity and Psychological Health in Normal Sleepers: the moderating role of stress

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason G. Ellis ◽  
Sarah Allen ◽  
Michael Perlis ◽  
Michael Grandner ◽  
Maria Gardani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Public Health Campaign ◽  
Health Campaign ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dysfunctional Cognitions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role

The aim of the present study was to determine whether normal sleepers with vulnerability to insomnia, via high sleep reactivity, demonstrate more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours and poorer psychological health compared to those who are not vulnerable. Further, the influence of stress on the relationship between sleep reactivity and psychological health was also examined. A cross-sectional survey of 737 young adult ‘normal’ sleepers from the general population was undertaken. Results indicated normal sleepers vulnerable to insomnia demonstrated more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours as well as poorer psychological health compared to those not vulnerable. Furthermore, the relationship between sleep reactivity and psychological health was moderated by perceived stress over the previous month and life events over the previous year. Therefore, identifying and supporting those who are vulnerable to insomnia may be a fruitful avenue for preventative public health campaign to mitigate both insomnia and poor psychological health.

cccccImmunological screening of Lassa Virus among Health workers and Contacts of patients of Lassa fever in Ondo State

Immunobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 152076
Author(s):  
Joseph Ojonugwa Shaibu ◽  
Olumuyiwa Babalola Salu ◽  
Olufemi Samuel Amoo ◽  
Ifeoma Idigbe ◽  
Adesola Zaidat Musa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Ondo State

scholarly journals Assessment of Knowledge and Sources of Information on Lassa Fever Infection Among the Undergraduate Students of Ebonyi State University, Nigeria

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110063
Author(s):  
MaryJoy Umoke ◽  
Prince Christian Ifeanachor Umoke ◽  
Chioma Adaora Nwalieji ◽  
Rosemary N. Onwe ◽  
Ifeanyi Emmanuel Nwafor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
State University ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Endemic Diseases ◽  
Academic Level

Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease characterized by acute viral hemorrhagic fever, endemic in West Africa including Nigeria. The study assessed the knowledge and sources of information on Lassa fever infection among the undergraduate students of Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among a sample of 389 students (18 years above). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed with SPSS (Version 20), and hypotheses were tested at p < .05 level of significance. Results showed that the majority of the students had good knowledge of Lassa fever description, 232 (60.75%); the signs and symptoms, 221 (57.9%); mode of transmission, 261 (68.41%); and preventive measures, 291 (76.13%). Radio, 23 (84.6%), and television, 307 (80.4%), were their major sources of information. Age ( p = .424), sex ( p = .082), and academic level ( p = .553) were not significant in the study, while faculty (social sciences; p = .000*) was strongly associated with the knowledge of Lassa fever. In conclusion, the overall knowledge of Lassa fever was good among students, though knowledge gaps were observed in the signs and symptoms. We recommend that health education on endemic diseases in the state be made a compulsory course as a general study (GST) in the university. Also, the internet, social media, and campus campaign be further used to educate and sensitize students on the effect of Lassa fever.

scholarly journals Knowledge of Lassa Fever Disease and Its Risk Factors Among Rural People in a Nigerian Community

Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Abdulrazaq Abdullahi Gobir ◽  
Clara Ladi Ejembi ◽  
Aliyu Abubakar Alhaji ◽  
Muhammad Bello Garba ◽  
Chinedu John -Camillus Igboanusi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effective Prevention

Introduction: Lassa fever disease (LFD) is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus. It is a disease of public health importance in West Africa and a global health threat. It is endemic in some West African countries like Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, where an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 cases occur every year with an estimated 5000 annual deaths. Persons living in rural areas and health care workers are at greatest risk. Public awareness and knowledge of the LFD and its risk factors are some of the important factors that determine disease transmission and success of preventive/control efforts. This study was therefore conducted to assess LFD-related awareness and knowledge in Gangara, a rural agrarian community in Giwa Local Government Area of Kuduna State, NorthWest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional, community based descriptive study conducted in Gangara community. An interviewer- administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 556 adult respondents, selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 20). Results: A majority of the respondents were females (52.9%) with a mean age of 37.0 ± 15.2. The level of awareness of LFD was high (66.7%) among respondents and there was a statistically significant association between awareness of LFD and not having any form of education (P < 0.00). However, most of the respondents (79.0%) have poor knowledge of LFD. Knowledge of risk factors for LFD was also poor with 59.4% not knowing that drying grains and foodstuffs on the ground is a risk factor for LFD. Conclusions: Awareness of the disease was quite high but knowledge of the disease and its risk factors was poor. For effective prevention of future outbreaks, the community needs to be properly educated on LFD and its risk factors.

scholarly journals Predicting the evolution of Lassa Virus endemic area and population at risk over the next decades

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaëlle Klitting ◽  
Liana E. Kafetzopoulou ◽  
Wim Thiery ◽  
Gytis Dudas ◽  
Sophie Gryseels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lassa Virus ◽  
Viral Genomes ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractLassa fever is listed among the diseases that pose the greatest risks to public health by the World Health Organization. This severe viral hemorrhagic fever is caused by Lassa virus, a zoonotic pathogen that repeatedly spills over to humans from its rodent reservoirs. It is currently not known how climate change, transformations in land use, and human population growth could affect the endemic area of this virus, currently limited to parts of West Africa. By exploring the environmental data associated with virus occurrence, we show how temperature, precipitation and the presence of pastures determine ecological suitability for virus circulation. We project that regions in Central and East Africa will likely become suitable for Lassa virus over the next decades and estimate that the total population living in areas suitable for Lassa virus may grow from about 100 million to 700 million by 2070. By analysing geotagged viral genomes, we find that in the event of Lassa virus being introduced into a new suitable region, its spread might remain spatially limited over the first decades. Our results highlight how the endemic area of Lassa virus may expand well beyond West Africa in the next decades due to human impact on the environment, putting hundreds of million more people at risk of infection.

Risk Factors for Lassa Fever Infection Among Survivours at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi ◽  
Oluwatosin Temitope Owoeye-Lawal ◽  
Adewale Johnson Aro ◽  
Aanuoluwapo Adeyimika Afolabi ◽  
Adesola Olawumi Kareem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Lassa Fever ◽  
Medical Centre ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Ondo State

Abstract BackgroundThere exists paucity of information regarding successfully managed Lassa Fever (LF) patients. This study is aimed at determining the perceived risk factors for LF infection among patients who had been managed and on follow up at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State. MethodsA cross sectional study of 101 LF survivors who had been managed and attending follow up clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Owo was done. Data were collected using semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Respondents were assessed for symptoms and factors that may have predisposed them to LF, and data analyzed with SPSS version 23. Those who had more than three identifiable risks were categorised as high risk. Descriptive statistics was done, and association between socio-demographic characteristics and high risk were explored using chi square test. ResultsThe median age of respondents was 33 years (range 8-85 years), 61.4% were males, 92.1% have heard of LF prior to being diagnosed, 55.9% heard through the mass media. The perceived cause of Lassa fever infection among respondents included consumption of food contaminated by rats’ feces among 57(56.4%) persons, while 16 (15.8) attributed their infection to contact with LF-infected persons. Among respondents with primary education and below, 5 (29.4%) had high risk of Lassa fever infection compared to 7 (8.3%) with secondary education and above (p=0.014). ConclusionMass media and other sources of information should be well harnessed in the communication of risks and preventive practices for LF. Health education should be intensified both in hospitals and schools to capture both young and old in LF prevention activities.

Initial perceptions of palliative care: An exploratory qualitative study of patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 825-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Collins ◽  
Sue-Anne McLachlan ◽  
Jennifer Philip
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Public Health Campaign ◽  
Health Campaign ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Early Integration ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Metropolitan Hospital ◽  
English Speaking

Background: Despite evidence for early integration of palliative care for people with advanced cancer and their families, patterns of late engagement continue. Prior research has focused on health professionals’ attitudes to palliative care with few studies exploring the views of patients and their carers. Aim: To explore initial perceptions of palliative care when this is first raised with patients with advanced cancer and their families in Australian settings. Design: Cross-sectional, prospective, exploratory qualitative design, involving narrative-style interviews and underpinned by an interpretative phenomenological framework. Setting/participants: Purposively sampled, English-speaking, adult patients with advanced cancer ( n = 30) and their nominated family caregivers ( n = 25) recruited from cancer services at a tertiary metropolitan hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Results: Three major themes evolved which represent the common initial perceptions of palliative care held by patients with advanced cancer and their carers when this concept is first raised: (1) diminished care, (2) diminished possibility and (3) diminished choice. Palliative care was negatively associated with a system of diminished care which is seen as a ‘lesser’ treatment alternative, diminished possibilities for hope and achievement of ambitions previously centred upon cure and diminished choices for the circumstances of one’s care given all other options have expired. Conclusion: While there is an increasing move towards early integration of palliative care, this study suggests that patient and caregiver understandings have not equally progressed. A targeted public health campaign is warranted to disentangle understandings of palliative care as the ‘institutional death’ and to reframe community rhetoric surrounding palliative care from that of disempowered dying to messages of choice, accomplishment and possibility.

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