Formal Education and Lassa Fever Risks Behaviour among Households’ Heads in Akoko Region of Ondo State Nigeria

Abstract

Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa region with significant statistics of infection in Nigeria. Ondo is one of the 18 States reported to have a proportion of infection with Lassa when over 1000 cases were reported across Nigeria, from January 2018 till date with different levels of fatality. The patriarchal nature of the family arrangement and the significant influence of any decision by the
heads of households on the overall health of all the members, are likely to result in behaviour that may put members on having contact with the disease vector. This study examines the level of education of households’ heads and their engagement in behaviour that may expose the entire households to the risk of infection with Lassa fever. The social survey was conducted in Ondo State. A total of 245 heads of households were selected using systematic and purposive sampling techniques at two different stages respectively, who responded to a structured questionnaire containing 41 items on level of education and LF risks behavioural. Though, the level of knowledge about LF is high, over 78% engaged in behaviour that make them susceptible to the risk of contacts with multi-mammoth rat and contact related behaviour varies by level of education. The need for the traditional institutions, as agents of change to engage household heads on proper education about LF is recommended to curtail the trend among others.