Risk Perception of Lassa Fever and Rodent Control Practices in a University Campus in South-South Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease endemic to Nigeria and the Mano River Union countries in West Africa. This study determined the risk perception and rodent control within the university. Personal and public considerations about safety of agricultural produce and the general living environment were investigated among students and staff within the university community using selected socio-economic variables impacting risks of Lassa fever (LF). Results indicated that higher education was associated with hygiene-related knowledge of LF (73.4%), compared to 37.3% of respondents with basic education who demonstrated poor knowledge of transmission of the disease (p<0.0001). High risk awareness was linked to information dissemination on LF in media and campaigns (75.5%), in comparison with native oral transmission of information about the disease (24.5%). Risk perception was significantly associated with measures aimed at rat control amongst respondents (p<0.02). The inability of staff (32.4%) and student (46.1%) to recognize Mastomys as LF-virus reservoir as well as contact of rats with human food amongst staff (7.0%) and students (11.3%) demonstrates the persistent public health threat in endemic areas. Cultural practices such as eating of rats (4.4%) and rat hunting practices (6.1%) further corroborates the value of a one-health agenda for LF control.
Keywords: Risk Perception