THE KNOWLEDGE ON LASSA FEVER MANAGEMENT AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN MARYLAND COUNTY, LIBERIA
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Date
2021-08Author
Neonora, Ade Payne-Barclay
Obey, Jackie K
Ramasamy, Poornima
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This research study examined the Knowledge on Lassa fever Management among Healthcare Workers in Maryland
County, Liberia.. This virus is transmitted by the rodent of the genus Mastomys natalensis commonly known as the
“multi-mammate rat.” The Mastomys rats are the carrier of the virus which is active in their urine and feces. The
virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the virus family Muridae.
Two hundred and ninety-nine healthcare workers between 22 and 52 years participated in a quantitative research
using the cross-sectional study design. Participants were selected randomly after stratification. Data was collected
using structured questionnaires and analyzed o STATA for windows, version 16. Analysis included descriptive
statistics (frequencies and percentages). The study used the logistic regression since the response variable, health
care practices was categorical. This allowed us to classify respondents as practicing poor or good health care
practices. The developed logistic model was found to be statistically significant, (𝟔) = 𝟐𝟒.𝟖𝟖, = 𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟒 meaning
that at least one of the predictor variables included in the model affected the health care practice outcome. The study
found statistically significant predictors were health care worker cadre, z = -2.45, p = .014, OR = .62 95% CI (.43,
.91) and experience z = 3.68, p = .000, OR = 2.32 95% CI (1.48, 3.63). The odds ratio health care cadre shows that
higher cadre is associated with poor health care practices. In particular, an increase in cadre by one level lowers the
odds of falling in the good practice category by a factor of 0.62. There was a statistically significant association
between health care practices on Lassa fever management and the variables cadre, p = .002 and years of experience
and as a health care worker, p = .000.
Consistent with other studies on the knowledge about Lassa fever and its management, there is a lack of adequate
knowledge of Lassa fever management among Healthcare workers. This study found that there was not infection
prevention control measures put in place across governmental and private owned clinics so compliance was lacking.
In conclusion, this study showed that knowledge on the management of Lassa fever both in governmental and private
health facilities were less desirable putting Healthcare workers at risk of the virus.
The researcher recommends that the director of the Maryland county health team should put in place proper and
effective control practices and prevention strategies are crucial in the management of Lassa fever for the health care
workers in the various health facilities in Harper District, Maryland County, Liberia.