Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/5051
Title: | Community awareness and perception towards rodent control : implications for prevention and control of Lassa Fever in urban slums of South-Wetsern Nigeria |
Authors: | Adebimpe, Wasiu Olalekan |
Keywords: | Nigeria -- Social conditions Lassa fever -- Nigeria, Southwest Rodents -- Control -- Nigeria, Southwest Housing -- Nigeria, Southwest |
Issue Date: | 2015-05 |
Publisher: | Malta Journal of Health Sciences |
Citation: | Malta Journal of Health Sciences. 2015, Vol.2(1), p. 26-32 |
Abstract: | Domestic rodents have been implicated in the community transmission of Lassa fever (LF). Community awareness of vector control could lead towards control of LF, most especially in densely populated and overcrowded slums. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and attitude towards rodent control in relation to LF in Southwestern Nigeria. This descriptive cross-sectional study of LF and rodent control was carried out among 500 community members selected using a multistage sampling method. The research instrument was a self-administered semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS software. 101 participants (20.2%) had heard about LF. Mean composite scores showed 19.4%, 14.1%, 17.0% and 13.9% of respondents to have good knowledge of occurrence, causes, disease transmission, as well as prevention and control of LF respectively. 215 participants (43.0%) lived in overcrowded rooms and only 36 (9.1%) claimed to never have seen a rat in their houses. 206 respondents (41.2%) said they often saw rats crossing between houses. Some recommendations for rodent control were suggested. It was concluded that poor awareness and knowledge of LF, together with poor housing facilities, characterised the communities studied. There is a need for relevant stakeholders to ensure better community health education and improved housing conditions in Southwestern Nigeria, with an emphasis on slum areas. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/5051 |
Appears in Collections: | MJHS, Volume 2, Issue 1 MJHS, Volume 2, Issue 1 |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PERCEPTION TOWARDS RODENT CONTROL.pdf | 374.81 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.