Lassa Fever Knowledge, Belief, Risk Communication Sources and Information Needs of Rural Farmers in Affected Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Lassa fever (LF) is a tropical health challenge affecting farmers’ performance in the farm, hence, its spread must stop and prevented. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to assess the rural farmers’ knowledge, belief, risk communication sources and information needs of Lassa fever affected communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods including questionnaire and oral interview on 650 farmers. Data obtained and analyzed reveals that 100% of the farmers are aware of Lassa fever. Over 90% of them could recognize symptoms of Lassa fever such as general body weakness, headache, fever, bleeding among others. They have knowledge of the transmission such as eating of rats(79.1%), eating rat contaminated foods(86.7%), staying with infected person(90.3%), and for prevention, washing of hands (63.6%), not eating rats(83.1%), cleaning of the environment(92.3%). The farmers believed that Lassa fever is manipulated spiritually (61.1%), is caused by the devil(74%), punishment from God(81.1%), cured with local herbs(92.4%).They get information about Lassa fever from television, radio, fellow farmers, extension agents, village neighbors among other sources. To be well informed, they need more information on the origin, causes, treatment, transmission, prevention and cost.

Keywords

• Lassa fever; farmers; belief; information needs; risk communication