Lassa fever in Nigeria: Social and Ecological Risk Factors Exacerbating Transmission and Sustainable Management Strategies

Chibueze, Izah Sylvester; Frank, Ovuru Kurotimipa; Chidozie, Ogwu Matthew

doi:10.23937/2643-461x/1710065

Cited by 22 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…As shown in earlier research these include farmers who are rural inhabitants and who kill rats for food. Most of our metropolitan centers have inadequate environmental sanitation with various hips of trash on which the host agent feeds and then finds itself to houses where they can urinate or defecate on unprotected foodstuff [3] [14] [17]. The prevalent habit of drying foodstuff by the roadside where it is easily contaminated by rodents is another cause of illness of the general population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…or exposure of open injuries or sores, can lead to illness. Some environmental conditions that contribute to exacerbating the incidence of Lassa fever include weak environmental hygiene laws, poor housing, and regional planning, indiscriminate disposal of wastes, poor food handling, and storage, absence of a law against eating Mastomys natalensis, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices as well as climate change [3] [14] [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Epidemics emerging from human-to-human transmission have likewise been demonstrated in healthcare institutions in West Africa. It is a zoonotic illness caused by a single-stranded RiboNucleic Acid (RNA) virus, the Lassa Virus (LASV) that causes systemic primary viral infection [1] [3]. The animal reservoir or host of the Lassa virus is Mastomys Natalensis a rodent of the genus Mastomys, widely known as the "multimammate rat."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lassa Fever: Patients Profile and Treatment Outcomes at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Mbaave,

Ogbu,

Echekwube

et al. 2023

AID

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Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever found mostly in West Africa where it is endemic but generates periodic outbreaks in the dry seasons. The virus is spread by the rat species named mastomys natalensis. While the illness is minor in most cases, the mortality is significant in hospitalized patients. Few completely equipped treatment centers existed in Nigeria previous to current increase in frequency requiring demand for new treatment centers without the full complement of essential capabilities. Aim: To analyze the profile and treatment outcome in patients hospitalized in one of such new resource-constrained centers at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a retrospective, descriptive hospital-based research encompassing January 2020 to March 2023. Medical records of those admitted to the isolation center were reviewed. The relevant data was coded and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Results: One hundred and ten (110) individuals were hospitalized for probable or suspected Lassa fever throughout the research period. A total of 35 confirmed patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included as the study subjects. There were 23 (65.7%) men and 12 (34.3%) females. Their mean age was 35.36 ± 12.21 years (range 15 -61 years). The treatment outcome showed that 24 (75%) survived and were discharged, 5 (15.6%) were referred out of the facility for dialysis and 3 died, providing a mortality of 8.6%. The causes of mortality in study patients were acute kidney injury and encephalopathy. Conclusion: Lassa fever is endemic in Benue state with all types of individuals afflicted. The outcome of treatment was good despite resource difficulties. Lassa fever can be successfully managed even in resource-challenged situations typically encountered in developing countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lassa Fever: Patients Profile and Treatment Outcomes at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Mbaave,

Ogbu,

Echekwube

et al. 2023

AID

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“…Climate and weather elements, particularly precipitation, temperature, wind, and humidity, change dramatically with the seasons, which could bring about variations in the concentration and availability of pollutants in the atmosphere and, by extension, the occurrence and distribution of diseases related to the pollutants (Izah et al, 2022). For example, Nigeria has two predominant seasons, viz., wet and dry.…”

Section: Effect Of Season and Factors That Promote The Dispersal Of P...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Air pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Sources, health effects, and strategies for mitigation

Richard

Izah

Ibrahim

2023

Journal of Environmental Studies

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Air pollution regularly releases unpleasant odors, particles, and harmful gases into the environment. Depending on the type of pollutant and its concentration, the effect could be deleterious to humans who live or work near the polluted area over time. This study examines the air quality status, sources of pollutants, health hazards, and possible mitigation strategies in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study findings show that waste dumps, gas flaring, and food processing units are sources of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulates released into the atmosphere. The identified pollutant sometimes exceeds the allowable level recommended by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria and the World Health Organization, an indication of a possible adverse health effect. Some of the associated health concerns associated with air pollution include irritation of the nose, eyes, skin, and throat; coughing; shortness of breath; dizziness; and weakness. The pollutants can predispose the body to specific organ dysfunctions, particularly in those with compromised immune systems. The health effects depend on the type of pollutant gas, concentration, and duration of exposure. As a result, adequate mitigation measures, including installation of filters in exhausts of vehicles, emissions stacks in emissions chambers from industrial processes, efficient burners as cooking stoves, use of adequate personal protective equipment when in industrial areas, use of electricity, use of alternative energy sources, particularly biofuel and solar to reduce emissions. It will reduce the risks to public health from human activities polluting the air.

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“…In the sub-Saharan region, particularly Nigeria, numerous studies on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of LF have been conducted [1]. These ranged from an assessment of LF knowledge amongst health workers (physicians and nurses) in rural communities in the south-south zone of Nigeria, including Edo State [9,10] to LF awareness amongst rural community dwellers in the southwest [11], an LF epicenter in Nigeria with several reported outbreaks, including the recent 2015/2016 epidemic [4]. Studies on community perception, knowledge, and practice on LF targeting community members based on sections have not been documented in Sierra Leone, whereas knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) studies have been documented in Nigeria focusing primarily on health care providers on how to prevent secondary transmission of the virus [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysing the association between perceived knowledge, and attitudes on Lassa Fever infections and mortality risk factors in lower Bambara Chiefdom

Kamara,

Moseray,

Fatoma

et al. 2024

BMC Public Health

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Background Lassa fever (LF) presents significant public health challenges in Sierra Leone, particularly in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom. This study aims to deeply understand how knowledge and attitudes towards LF correlate with community-driven prevention and control measures. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative approach was used to conduct the research. Data from 2167 participants were collected using an Android-based survey from 1st February 2022 to 14th February 2022. Respondents' knowledge of LF causes, risk factors, transmission modes, and preventive measures were evaluated through a multiple-choice questionnaire, and attitudes toward prevention and control were measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 and frequencies were presented in count, percentage, and table. Chi-square statistics were used to test for associations. Results Among the 2167 participants, over half were males (1184, 54.60%), farmers (1406, 64.90%), married (monogamous) (1428, 65.90%), and had never attended school (1336, 61.70%). Respondents demonstrated high knowledge levels of LF across socio-demographic groups (33% to 100%) and shared a positive attitude towards prevention and control (mean score of 26.77 on a 5–40 scale). Educational level, religious beliefs, and occupational status significantly influenced LF knowledge (p < 0.05). Specifically, illiterates had a high knowledge score of 48.24%, while those with tertiary education had the highest score at 83.33%. Additionally, a Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive linear relationship between the degree of knowledge and positive attitude towards LF infection and mortality risk factors (r = 0.090, p = 0.02). Conclusion High LF knowledge in Lower Bambara Chiefdom positively influences prevention attitudes. Education, religion, and occupation are key factors. Tailored interventions enhance public health efforts.

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Lassa fever in Nigeria: Social and Ecological Risk Factors Exacerbating Transmission and Sustainable Management Strategies

Cited by 22 publications

References 57 publications

Lassa Fever: Patients Profile and Treatment Outcomes at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Lassa Fever: Patients Profile and Treatment Outcomes at Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Air pollution in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: Sources, health effects, and strategies for mitigation

Analysing the association between perceived knowledge, and attitudes on Lassa Fever infections and mortality risk factors in lower Bambara Chiefdom

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