Lassa Fever-associated Stigmatization among Staff and Students of the University of Benin, Nigeria

E.A Odigie,E.A Uwagie-Ero,I.T Aighewi,S.F Usifoh,S.U Ighedosa

doi:10.2991/jegh.k.190514.001

Abstract

Lassa Fever (LF) remains a health burden in several endemic areas of Nigeria, and its toll remains unabated over several decades. Although most studies have focused on virological and clinical considerations, few studies have attempted to address the perceived psychosocial component of LF disease in Nigeria. Evaluation of stigmatization and discrimination faced by LF survivors is an important step in improving individual health and protecting public health. This study aimed to assess LF-associated stigmatization associated among staff and students of the University of Benin. Descriptive analyses of 600 consenting respondents (300 staff and 300 students) sampled using pretested questionnaires was conducted, and the Chi-square test was used to test for significant association between perceived LF stigmatization and predefined variables. LF was a potential cause of stigmatization in a higher proportion of student (n = 162, 57.9%) than staff (n = 112, 39.9%). LF-associated stigmatization among students was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.012) and poor knowledge (p = 0.013) of LF transmission and prevention. A greater tendency for stigmatization was observed among females than males. A comprehensive emergency response plan incorporating accurate knowledge dissemination about the disease may be a first step toward tackling perceived LF stigmatization.

Highlights

Lassa Fever (LF) remains a health burden in several endemic areas of West Africa including Nigeria, and the toll in case fatality remains unabated over several decades
LF disease is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease caused by Lassa Virus (LASV), a bisegmented single-stranded RNA virus, which belongs to the family Arenaviridae [1,6]
14.2% (n = 41) staff and 22.9% (n = 65) students (n = 65, 22.9%) indicated that they would refrain from reporting the LF when it occurs in a family member

Summary

Introduction

Lassa Fever (LF) remains a health burden in several endemic areas of West Africa including Nigeria, and the toll in case fatality remains unabated over several decades. The disease results in 500,000 cases annually and approximately 5000 deaths in endemic West Africa. The overall case fatality rate is 1% [1], mortality can be as high as 15–20% in hospitalized LF patients and up to 50% during outbreaks [2,3,4,5]. LF is known to be endemic in Benin, Ghana, and Mali [1]. The putative reservoir of LASV is the Mastomys natalensis, which is known to exhibit asymptomatic infection but results in copious shedding of the virus in the urine, feces, saliva, and blood of infected rats [1,7]. The presence of M. natalensis, a rodent indigenous to most of sub-Saharan Africa, within households is closely associated with LF outbreaks in rural settings and

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