ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Markets provide a forum for reaching a large adult population with information on Lassa fever, and therefore understanding the food handling practices of traders may provide the foundation for an effective campaign against Lassa fever. This study was undertaken to provide baseline information on knowledge and food handling practices of traders in local markets in a Lassa fever endemic state of Nigeria. STUDY DESIGN: A structured questionnaire was used to obtain food handling habits that facilitate the transmission of Lassa virus from a cross sectional study involving 385 traders in three major markets in Edo state and data analyzed using SPSS version 15. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety three (76.1%) had ever heard of Lassa fever, 27 (9.2%) had good knowledge. Good knowledge was significantly associated with higher educational status (p < 0.00) and male gender (p=0.03). Thirty seven (12.6%) respondents sun-dried their food frequently, 105 (35.8%) stored utensils in rodent proof containers, and 136 (46.4%) had the habit of eating garri soaked in water. One hundred and ninety (49.4%) respondents had food hygiene practices that were favorable for spread of Lassa fever. CONCLUSION: The observed gaps in knowledge of Lassa fever and food hygiene may be addressed through tailored health messages. In this way, market campaigns will be effective in increasing knowledge of Lassa fever, and traders can themselves become peer educators.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Seasonal outbreaks of Lassa fever in West Africa cause significant morbidity and mortality across all ages. In addition to present efforts to raise awareness, school children can be targeted to become peer and family health educators. The study was carried out to determine the knowledge of Lassa fever among secondary school children, and household practices that increase risk of the infection. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross sectional survey, 561 secondary school students randomly selected from schools in Edo State were interviewed by means of a self - administered questionnaire that sought information on knowledge of Lassa fever and practices within the home that favour rodent contact . Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15. RESULTS: Knowledge of Lassa fever was poor among 259 (49.4%) respondents, fair in 216 (41.2%) and good in 49 (9.4%). Female gender (< 0.01), monogamous family structure (p < 0.04) , and being in senior secondary class ( p=0.01) were predictors of high knowledge score. Self- reported Lassa fever risk conditions were found to be of low prevalence in 311(55.4%) and high in 250 (44.6%) homes, and associated with educational status of mother ( p=0.00) and father, (p =0.00). CONCLUSION: School children in endemic communities lack good knowledge of Lassa fever, but when properly guided, have the potential to become peer and family educators.
