Abstract:

Lassa fever (LF), a viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa, poses significant public health challenges due to its non-specific symptoms, often mimicking other febrile illnesses. This diagnostic ambiguity hinders early detection and prompt medical intervention, increasing the risk of severe complications and mortality. Community health influencers (CHIs) are crucial for effective LF management, especially in resource-limited settings where they serve as the primary link between healthcare systems and vulnerable populations. Their roles encompass early case identification, community education, and facilitating access to treatment, making their understanding of LF paramount. This study aimed to assess the baseline knowledge and perceptions regarding LF among CHIs in selected high-risk Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State, Nigeria, a region with a historically high LF burden. Employing a quasi-experimental design, the research involved 60 CHIs recruited through multi-stage sampling, ensuring representation from diverse communities within the endemic LGAs. Data collection utilized validated questionnaires, demonstrating robust reliability with a coefficient of 0.70–0.72, to capture demographic characteristics, knowledge levels, and perceptions related to LF susceptibility, severity, and preventive measures. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, conducted at a significance level of p < 0.05, revealed moderate knowledge levels among CHIs, with an average score of 5.67 ± 1.63. However, significant variations in perceptions were observed, with misconceptions regarding LF susceptibility and severity being prevalent. Limited understanding of LF transmission dynamics and difficulty recognizing early symptoms emerged as key barriers to effective case detection. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted educational interventions tailored to address knowledge gaps and rectify misconceptions among CHIs, ultimately contributing to improved LF control and outbreak mitigation in endemic regions.

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