Knowledge, attitude and practice to Lassa fever virus among shop owners in four community markets in a military barrack in Kaduna state, Nigeria

The ‘Lassa fever season’ has lasted longer and generated more cases and deaths, than expected in Nigeria since 2017. A cross sectional study was designed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of shop owners of 4 community markets in a Military Barrack in Kaduna State, Nigeria towards Lassa Fever Virus (LFV). Structured questionnaires were prepared and administered to 200 respondents by face to face interview. The questionnaire sought information on demographic characteristics of the respondents towards LFV awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice. Associations between demographic variables and categorized knowledge, attitude or practice scores were assessed using χ2 analysis. The mean knowledge score of respondents was 11.5 out of 16 items scored, 5.6 out of 9 for attitude and 5.2 out of 7 in the practice of the respondents towards LFV. Among the 200 respondents, 128 (64%) knew that LFV is a highly infectious viral disease and 153 (76.5%) knew it is found in rats. Also, 190 (95%) said they will go to the hospital if they have symptoms while, all of them agreed it is good to wash hands often. Respondents who had tertiary education were 0.2 times more likely to have good knowledge (OR = 0.23, 95% CI on OR = 0.13 - 0.54) than those with less education. Positive attitude towards Lassa Fever Virus improved with increase in the level of education, as respondents with no formal education were 2 times more likely to have negative attitude (OR = 2.04, 95% CI on OR = 0.66 - 6.33). Respondents in Community Market 4 (CM4) were 2.45 times more likely to have good practice than respondents in other Community Markets. The findings in this study show that the respondents have a good knowledge, positive attitude and practice towards Lassa Fever Virus nonetheless, awareness programs should continue, proper medical care should be provided for the sick and protective gears should be available to health care workers. Prevention of Lassa fever largely relies on community engagement and promoting hygienic conditions to discourage rodents in the surroundings.