Loading...
Knowledge and attitudes about Lassa fever among African adults: implications for prevention and control of Lassa fever - a systematic review
Oyewole, Sola Aremu, Olatunde
Oyewole, Sola
Aremu, Olatunde
Citations
Altmetric:
Affiliation
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham City University
Other Contributors
Publication date
2024-09-24
Subject
Collections
Files
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Background: Lassa fever is a public health issue in Africa, especially in Nigeria, where about 500,000 cases are reported annually, and about 10,000 deaths are recorded on the African continent annually. It is a zoonotic illness in which humans contract infection via the interplay with the droppings or fluids of an infected multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis).
Methodology: The literature that is in line with the included criteria and PIO framework was included after the study selection was conducted via the three recommended electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science), and PRISMA was used for the transparency of the included literature. The quality of the included literature was examined with the CAPS tools, the data was extracted, and the results were presented.
Results: About 137 literature were accessed but only 12 met the inclusion criteria and the majority of included literature adopted a cross-sectional study design. There was a statistically significant association between knowledge and occupation, as well as knowledge and attitudes towards Lassa fever prevention and control.
Discussion: The findings indicate that limited knowledge of Lassa fever among healthcare workers resulted in the mismanagement of LF infections and several cases were either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as many patients appeared asymptomatic. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards LF have significant implications for the prevention and control, due to the overestimation of knowledge among healthcare professionals, lack of emergency preparedness, reservoir host shift, environmental factors, and misconceptions which are major drivers of the LF epidemic in Africa
Citation
Oyewole, S. and Aremu, O. (2024) 'Knowledge and attitudes about Lassa fever among African adults: implications for prevention and control of Lassa fever - a systematic review'. School of Nursing, AHP and Midwifery Conference. Birmingham: 9-10 September.
Type
Conference Output