RISK FACTORS FOR LASSA FEVER EXPOSURE AMONG RESIDENTS OF ENDEMIC COMMUNITIES IN EDO STATE AND ONDO STATE

Abstract

Lassa fever remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in endemic states such as Edo and Ondo, where recurrent outbreaks continue to threaten community health despite ongoing prevention efforts. This study assessed the risk factors associated with Lassa fever exposure among residents of endemic communities in Edo and Ondo States, Nigeria. A cross sectional descriptive research design was adopted. The study population comprised 18,540 residents, from which a sample of 392 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane's formula. A multistage sampling technique was employed, while data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire. Of the 392 questionnaires administered, 378 were successfully completed and analyzed, representing a response rate of 96.4%. Descriptive statistics and Chi square analysis were used for data analysis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that environmental factors including poor waste disposal (88.1%), rodent infestation (82.5%), open food storage (85.6%), and inadequate drainage systems (79.4%) significantly increased exposure to Lassa fever. Behavioural practices such as drying food outdoors (81.2%), unsafe food storage (84.7%), and poor hand hygiene (73.5%) also contributed substantially to exposure risk. Furthermore, poverty (86.3%), low income (83.8%), poor housing conditions, cracked walls (87.4%), and lack of sanitation facilities (89.2%) emerged as major socio economic and structural determinants of disease exposure. The study concludes that Lassa fever exposure is driven by the interaction of environmental, behavioural, socio economic, and housing related factors. Integrated community based interventions focusing on environmental sanitation, housing improvement, health education, and poverty reduction are recommended to reduce transmission in endemic communities.