BACKGROUND: Lassa fever outbreaks are common in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess knowledge, misperception, preparedness and barriers towards Lassa fever among health care workers (HCWs) in a tertiary hospital in Enugu. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study among 400 HCWs of a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. RESULTS: The study showed that 56.5% had fair knowledge while 42.0% and 1.5% had poor and good knowledge, respectively. Over 84% had good risk perception of acquiring Lassa fever while 15.8% had poor risk perception. Only 13% received training on emergency preparedness while 90.3% desired this training. Associations between occupation and knowledge were significant. Barriers to Lassa fever control were non-availability of infection control tools, lack of training on preparedness, absence of local laboratory, and non-availability of ribavirin. CONCLUSION: The study showed poor level of preparedness for Lassa fever and recommended routine training of HCWs on emergency preparedness.
BACKGROUND: Lassa fever outbreaks are common in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess knowledge, misperception, preparedness and barriers towards Lassa fever among health care workers (HCWs) in a tertiary hospital in Enugu. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study among 400 HCWs of a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. RESULTS: The study showed that 56.5% had fair knowledge while 42.0% and 1.5% had poor and good knowledge, respectively. Over 84% had good risk perception of acquiring Lassa fever while 15.8% had poor risk perception. Only 13% received training on emergency preparedness while 90.3% desired this training. Associations between occupation and knowledge were significant. Barriers to Lassa fever control were non-availability of infection control tools, lack of training on preparedness, absence of local laboratory, and non-availability of ribavirin. CONCLUSION: The study showed poor level of preparedness for Lassa fever and recommended routine training of HCWs on emergency preparedness.