Assessment of Knowledge and Prevention of Lassa Fever Among People Attending Primary Health Care
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the causes of Lassa fever
- To ascertain about primary health care workers knowledge about Lassa fever
- To investigate about the health care workers knowledge about prevention measure of Lassa fever
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Lassa Fever outbreaks
The outbreak of Lassa Fever (LF) and Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the West African sub region in recent times is a testimony to a dire need for a strong epidemic preparedness system among member countries of the World Health Organization in the AFRO region. This requires that diseases be notified through a sustained disease surveillance and reporting system (WHO, 2006). Such disease surveillance system should adequately identify, define and recognize cases of illness on a timely and complete basis; and culminating into data driven forecast and advice on the trend of infections (WHO, 2009). The implications of recent outbreaks of Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers on the health systems, international travels, movements and trades are enormous. This is more obvious with the changing epidemiological pattern being observed over the years. LF is among the diseases on the epidemic prone list being reported under disease surveillance and notification system (CDC, 1996). Poor sanitation, overcrowding, inadequate resources to manage cases, a weak health systems and most importantly poor epidemic preparedness underscored the need for greater understanding of these diseases and more effective control measures according to the WHO in 2000. The last sporadic outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria was in 2012; until in October 2015 when significant human lives loss were recorded as a part of the ongoing epidemics. While EVD had been put under control in Nigeria and the country certified EVD free in late 2014, the country is still battling with a significant spread of Lassa fever infections. Some factors that could have contributed to this trend include a lengthy dry season, weak health system, and poor public enlightenment programme in both urban and rural communities where over 60% of the population resides (Kelly et al., 2003). Lassa fever had been crying for the type of huge attention given to the EVD outbreak including strong political will, leadership and effective coordination of both local and international control efforts
Epidemiology of Lassa fever
Lassa virus is the causative organism of Lassa fever infection. It is zoonotic and spreads to h uma n s fr om r o d e n ts, s p e c ifi c a l l y multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis). (Healing, 2001; Richmond, 2003). These mice are ubiquitous in human households and are occasionally eaten as a delicacy in some areas (Richmond, 2003). Factors such as unplanned urbanization, indiscriminate refuse disposal, poor personal hygiene and overcrowded housing contribute to vector movements (Hala, 2013). Human to human transmission is not uncommon.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought assessment of knowledge and prevention of lassa fever among people attending primary health care
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on assessment of knowledge and prevention of lassa fever among people attending primary health care. 200 staff of selected health center in Nkwerre LGA, Imo state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain assessment of knowledge and prevention of lassa fever among people attending primary health care. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of knowledge and prevention of lassa fever among people attending primary health care
Summary
This study was on Assessment of knowledge and prevention of lassa fever among people attending primary health care. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the causes of Lassa fever, to ascertain about primary health care workers knowledge about Lassa fever and to investigate about the health care workers knowledge about prevention measure of Lassa fever. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected health centers. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made doctors, nurses, lab technicians and junior staffs were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria. The primary care health worker in a rural area is the one most likely to be the first point of call for persons seeking western medicine. It is therefore essential that he is adequately informed about the disease, it’s presentation and prevention, so that he can not only protect himself, but prevent spread within the community. The study revealed a general lack of good knowledge among the health workers with obvious gaps in knowledge. There is an urgent need to increase knowledge level among healthcare personnel regarding Lassa Fever, including the housekeeping staff through the provision of education campaigns consisting of seminars, pamphlets and workshops that would pay added attention to bridging gaps in knowledge
Recommendation
There should be a change in the past strategies employed by the health authorities. There is a need to establish a multi-sectoral team to assess the extent of local resources available to respond and manage epidemic alert and response as well as evaluating prevention and control, measures. There is a need to encourage more local applied research on Lassa Fever and EVD outside the usual Knowledge, Attitude and prevention
References
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- WHO fact sheet on lassa fever; 2017. Available:http://www.who.int/mediacentre/f actsheets/fs179/en/ 3.
- Ogbu O, Ajuluchukwu E, Uneke CJ. Lassa fever in West African sub-region: An overview. J Vect Borne Dis. 2007;44:1–11. Available:http://www.mrcindia.org/journal/is sues/441001.pdf (Cited 2017 Jul 10) 4.
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