| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2015 | Volume
: 17
| Issue : 2 | Page : 51-55 |
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Lassa fever in Nigeria: Insights into seroprevalence and risk factors in rural Edo State: A pilot study
Ekaete Alice Tobin1, Danny Asogun1, Nosa Akpede2, Donatus Adomeh1, Ikponwonsa Odia1, Stephan Gunther3
1 Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria
2 Department of Community Health, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
3 Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
Correspondence Address:
Ekaete Alice Tobin
Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2276-7096.162258
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Background: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of risk factors and Lassa seroprevalence in Esan West local government area of Edo State.
Methodology: One hundred and sixty-six respondents from 50 households were interviewed using structured questionnaires on prevalence of risk factors for Lassa virus exposure, household heads provided information on household risk factors. Determination of Lassa virus specific antibodies immunoglobulin (Ig) in the blood was by an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Analysis was performed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).
Results: Rodents were seen in 49 (96.1%) houses in the previous 6 months, garri was eaten as a soaked meal by 97 (58.4%) respondents. IgM was found in 2 (1.3%) samples, and IgG, in 103 (58.2%). Negative IgG sero status was significantly associated with age <20 years (P < 0.00) and marital status as single (P < 0.00).
Conclusion: There is a need for health education to improve food hygiene practices and reduce practices that promote rodent contact with humans. |
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