FRONTLINE INSIGHTS: AN ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, INFECTION PREVENTION, AND CONTROL PRACTICES REGARDING LASSA FEVER AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN HOSPITALS IN MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

Abstract

Background: Lassa fever is a zoonotic, acute viral haemorrhagic fever that has accounted for the deaths of healthcare workers since 1969. During the 2018 and 2019 reported outbreaks in Nigeria, clusters of nosocomial infections were reported among health workers. They are especially at risk when adherence to infection control practices is inadequate. Objective: This study assesses the knowledge, attitude, and infection prevention control practices among the different cadres of healthcare workers in secondary and tertiary Hospitals in Maiduguri, Borno state. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study using an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. A two-stage sampling method was used to select 334 respondents by cadre and type of Hospital. The data collected were analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: Of the 334 respondents, the mean age was 36±11 years with 232(69.5%) being females, 205 (61.4%) Muslims, and 233(69.7%) nurses with 208 (62.3%) having <10 years of working experience. Overall, slightly below half had a good knowledge (43.4%), a good attitude was high (87.3%) and two-third had good IPC practices (61.3%). The levels of knowledge were significantly higher among doctors (????2=38.44;p=001) compared to other cadres in tertiary institutions (????2=9.70;p=.007), while prevention practices were significantly higher among medical laboratory scientists(????2=13.68;p=.001) in secondary institutions (????2=6.04;p=0.048). Conclusion:  Health workers in secondary and tertiary Hospitals in Maiduguri, Borno state had poor knowledge, good attitude, and infection prevention practices towards Lassa fever. Healthcare institutions need to provide regular training courses and enforce strict adherence to infection prevention control practices through functional IPC committees.