OWERRI RESIDENT'S AWARENESS OF THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF LASSA FEVER
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine Owerri residents' awareness on the causes and symptoms of Lassa fever. Lassa fever is an endemic in West Africa, where it probably kills several thousand people each year. Owerri residents awareness of the causes and symptoms of this disease will help reduce the fear which Lassa fever has inculcated in humans. This research work reviewed existing literature of Lassa fever, applied some theories, it also had some objectives. Some of the objectives are: To find out the awareness level of Owerri residents on preventing the disease from spreading.
The data for empirical study were collected through questionnaire and observation. Statistical tables and simple percentage were used to present and analyze data. The findings of this study show that the Owerri residents are not fully aware of the disease not to talk of the causes and symptoms. Some radio and TV stations in Owerri are not really doing a good job to help create awareness on the causes and symptoms of the disease. The social media is not helping matters too. Based on the findings of this study, it is not recommended that media should join hands with the Federal Ministry of Health to pass the right information to the public.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
At the beginning of 2012, WHO was notified by the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria of an outbreak of Lassa fever. As of March 22, 2012, 623 suspected cases, including 70 deaths have been recorded from 19 of the 36 states since the beginning of the year. Laboratory analysis undertaken at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo state, has confirmed the presence of Lassa virus in 108 patients.
The federal and state governments are trying to enhance the disease surveillance for early detection. People usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to infected rodents belonging to Mastomy's species. Rat infected food stuff is commonly believed to be the mode of transmission 93%, while very few people mentioned the role of person to person transmission. People identified fever, mucosal bleeding, vomiting and headache to be the symptoms of the disease.
Lassa fever is a severe and sometimes deadly disease, caused by the Lassa fever virus. It has been diagnosed in patients predominantly in West Africa. It is known as Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF) although very few patients actually present with hemorrhagia (bleeding). Because the symptoms of Lassa fever are so varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult. Outbreaks of Lassa fever are initiated when a human is infected by an infected rodent.
Research has shown that it is more prevalent during the dry season.
In the absence of effective treatment, raising awareness of the risk factors of Lassa fever and preventive measures individuals can take is the only way to reduce human infections and deaths.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Lassa fever, also known as Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF), is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus. Many of those infected by this virus do not develop symptoms. When symptoms occur, they typically include fever, weakness, headaches, vomiting and muscle pains. The risk of death once infected is about 1% and frequently occurs two weeks of the onset of symptoms. Among those who survived about quarter have deafness which improves over time in about half.
The disease is usually initially spread to people via contact with the urine or faeces of an infected MultiMate rat. Spread can then occur via direct contact between people. The Lassa fever is a member of the ARENAVIRIDAE virus family.
Descriptions of the disease date from the 1950's; the virus was first described in 1969 from a case in the town of Lassa in Borno state, Nigeria. Lassa fever occurs relatively commonly in West Africa including the countries of Nigeria where Owerri is located, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ghana. There are about 300, 000 to 500, 000 cases which result in 5, 000 deaths a year.
The study is focused on Owerri resident's awareness on the causes and symptoms of Lassa fever.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The Owerri residents should be fully aware of the causes and symptoms of Lassa fever in order to prevent the outbreak of the disease in Owerri and Imo state as a whole.
In this regards, the major objectives of this study is anchored on finding out the awareness level of Owerri residents about Lassa fever and to achieve the following:
- To establish the level of awareness of Owerri residents about the causes of Lassa fever.
- To establish the level of awareness of Owerri residents about the symptoms of Lassa fever.
- To find out if the media help in giving out information about Lassa fever.
- To establish knowledge on how to prevent and control Lassa fever.
1.4 Research Questions
In order to explore the ramification of this study, the following questions are posed as a guide to this study
- Q1: What is the level of awareness of Owerri residents about the causes of Lassa fever?
- Q2: What is the level of awareness of Owerri residents about the symptoms of Lassa fever?
- Q3: Do the media help in giving information about Lassa fever?
- Q4: Are there challenges facing the Federal Ministry of Health in creating awareness in Owerri?
1.5 Significance of Study
The following are the significance of this study:
- It will help in the creation of awareness about the causes of Lassa fever to people living in Owerri.
- It seeks to encourage people who resides in Owerri to help fight against further outbreak of the disease.
- It will also explain how to prevent and control Lassa fever and also the mode of transmission.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of study is to use the people who reside in Owerri, to determine the level of awareness created on the causes and symptoms of Lassa fever.
In 2001, a knowledge, attitude and practice survey was undertaken in Kenema among 813 men and 867 women in four camps for internally displaced people and eight primary health units. The survey revealed a reasonable knowledge of Lassa fever, its mode of transmission, control measures and seriousness of the disease.
This kind of survey is what is about to be carried out on Owerri residents.
1.7 Limitations of Study
In the course of carrying out this work, there was much stress encountered by the researcher trying to gather materials for this study.
Initially, the researcher found this work unusual, on how to use a better approach on the people since there were beliefs that people would not want to give listening ear to the subject, thereby educating and convincing them to getting data for this study was quite because the researcher tried to gather effective data.
To this effect, it wasn't so easy for the researcher. The allocation of time for this study was quite confusing because tried to gather effective data.
Another problem was finance.
1.8 Definitions of Terms
We are going to know the conceptual and operational meaning of the terms that constitute the study.
Resident:
People based in a particular place.
Operational:
People living/ based in Owerri.
Awareness:
The state of being conscious of something.
Operational:
Consciousness of the people living in Owerri on the causes and symptoms of Lassa fever.
Causes:
The source (s) or reason(s) of an action(s)
Operational:
The source of Lassa fever.
Symptoms:
Anything that indicates the presence of something, especially something undesirable.
Operational:
How they can spot the presence of Lassa fever in someone.
Lassa fever:
A type of Viral Hemorrhagic Fever caused by Lassa virus.
Operational:
The disease being talked about.
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
The review of relevant literature is the main topic of this chapter. A literature review covers theoretical and methodological contributions to a certain issue in addition to the state of knowledge at the time of writing. It provides information about the state of the art in relation to the subject you are writing about. It examines the body of work on the chosen subject. The literature evaluation in this study comprises the …
Procedure for Downloading the PDF (Docx) Material
Owerri Resident’s Awareness of the Causes and Symptoms of Lassa Fever can be downloaded by requesting the full set of materials at the project or seminar cost. The document will be sent via Microsoft Word (MS-Word) format via WhatsApp (e-mail) following payment confirmation.
| Seminar Material Cost ₦3,000 | Project Material Cost ₦5,000 |
Request Complete Material
 | Click here to request the Complete Material via WhatsApp including;
|
TABLE OF CONTENTSPRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
- 1.1. Background of the study
- 1.2. Statement of the problem
- 1.3. Objectives of the study
- 1.4. Research questions
- 1.5. Significance of the study
- 1.6. Scope of the study
- 1.7. Limitations of the study
- 1.8. Definitions of terms
CHAPTER TWO: Review of Literature
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Brief history of Lassa fever
- 2.3 Symptoms of Lassa fever
- 2.4 Mode of transmission
- 2.5 Diagnosis
- 2.6 Treatment and Prophylaxis
- 2.7 Prevention and control
- 2.8 Epidemiology
- 2.9 Media role in disease prevention
- 2.10 Theoretical framework
- 2.11 Summary of Literature review
CHAPTER THREE: Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research design
- 3.2 Population of study
- 3.3 Sample size
- 3.4 Sample procedure
- 3.5 Sources of Data
- 3.6 Instrument for data collection
- 3.7 Validity of instrument
- 3.8 Administration of instruments
- 3.9 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Data presentation
- 4.3 Discussion of findings
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations
- 5.1. Summary of findings
- 5.2. Conclusion
- 5.3. Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDIX(es)
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "Owerri Resident's Awareness of the Causes and Symptoms of Lassa Fever" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
PRELIMINARY PAGES
- Title page
- Approval page
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Contents
- Abstract
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
- 1.1. Background of the study
- 1.2. Statement of the problem
- 1.3. Objectives of the study
- 1.4. Research questions
- 1.5. Significance of the study
- 1.6. Scope of the study
- 1.7. Limitations of the study
- 1.8. Definitions of terms
CHAPTER TWO: Review of Literature
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Brief history of Lassa fever
- 2.3 Symptoms of Lassa fever
- 2.4 Mode of transmission
- 2.5 Diagnosis
- 2.6 Treatment and Prophylaxis
- 2.7 Prevention and control
- 2.8 Epidemiology
- 2.9 Media role in disease prevention
- 2.10 Theoretical framework
- 2.11 Summary of Literature review
CHAPTER THREE: Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research design
- 3.2 Population of study
- 3.3 Sample size
- 3.4 Sample procedure
- 3.5 Sources of Data
- 3.6 Instrument for data collection
- 3.7 Validity of instrument
- 3.8 Administration of instruments
- 3.9 Method of data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Data presentation
- 4.3 Discussion of findings
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary of Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations
- 5.1. Summary of findings
- 5.2. Conclusion
- 5.3. Recommendations
REFERENCES
APPENDIX(es)
Disclaimer for Complete Material Utilization
The displayed research work titled "Owerri Resident's Awareness of the Causes and Symptoms of Lassa Fever" is stated as a research guideline towards accomplishing your assigned project / seminar research work. All the research materials on this website are ONLY for research purposes and should be used as a guideline in developing your research work. For no reason should you copy word for word as projectlist.com.ng will not be liable for any who copied the material. By ordering the complete research guideline, it signifies that you've accepted our terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the topic “Microbial Food Spoilage Disorders and Its Control” recommended for Biochemistry Project?
Yes it is highly recommended — The study carried out to assess the Microbial Food Spoilage Disorders (Diseases) and It’s Control. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to: isolate and identify bacterial species associated with food contamination, determine the microbial load of isolated bacteria, and establish the public health implication of consumption of such foods. Foods and microorganisms have long and interesting associations which developed long before the beginning of recorded history. Foods are not only nutritious to consumers, but are also excellent sources of nutrients for microbial growth. Depending on the microorganisms present, foods may spoil or be preserved by fermentation. Foods can act as a reservoir for disease transmission, and thus detection and control of pathogens and …
Can the material for “Analysis of the Strategies for Employment Generation” be used as a guide for Public Administration (PA) Project?
Yes it can be used — This research work titled ‘’Analysis of Strategies for Employment Generation in Kogi State’’ will be conducted to identify cause of unemployment in Kogi State, to find out the impact of unemployment in Kogi State, also, analyzed strategies for employment generation in Kogi State. And the research work shall be aiming at proffering reliable solution to the problem of unemployment in Kogi State, the sample size of this research work shall consist of about 89 personnel’s but 80 will be given questionnaires to respond to these 80 personnel’s will be selected from the eight (8) department in the Ministry of Education being my case study. The instrument to be used in collecting data shall be self developed questionnaires. The data collection …
Can the material for “The Impact of Corruption on Good Governance and Development in Nigeria (1999-2013)” be used as a guide for Public Administration (PA) Project?
Yes it can be used — This study is an attempt to examine the extent corruption has retarded good governance and development in Nigeria from 1999 to 2011. If focuses on the determination of the cause(s) of corruption in Nigeria; the implications and recommendations of appropriate solutions to curb the menace. Discoveries were made such ; corruption as the cause of bad governance in Nigeria; breeds bad leadership; creates room for looting of public treasury by public office holders and enhances waste of government funds as a result of ghost workers. The key recommendations were also given such as; every public office holder should be made declare his or her assets before commencement of duties and prior to their leaving of offices and have to be …
Can this topic “Design and Implementation of a Computerized Transcript Management System” be used for Computer Science (CS) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — Students’ transcript is the summary of each of the two-year performance either in (OND) ordinary National Diploma or (HND) higher national diploma. The aim of this study is to design and implement a Computerized Transcript Management System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to design and develop an application software that will record and reports of students will be easily retrieved with increased data security, and reduce in the amount of resources, which in turn will lower the cost of processing of student’s transcripts, since information will be stored in a database with reduced data Redundancy. The motivation that led to the implementation of the proposed system is as a result of the …
Can this topic “The Constraints of Agricultural Development” be used for Agricultural Engineering (AE) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — Agriculture is the most basic form of human activities in the whole world. It is the most important occupation. Infact, the source of food and development in Oredo Local Government Area. Yet agricultural development is still at primary level in study area. The research looks at the climate, soils, relief, economic market and social factors as constants of agricultural development in the study area. The farmers from the Local Government Area were randomly selected. 200 questionnaires were distributed to various farmers in the area of study. …
Can this topic “The Impact of Training to the Development of the Maritime Industry” be used for Maritime and Transport Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The study was carried out to examine the Impact of Training to the Development of the Maritime Industry with specific reference to Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Apapa, Lagos State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to examine whether lack of adequate funding impact manpower development and evaluate whether technological changes impact manpower development in the Nigerian maritime industry. Investigation revealed that one of the most prominent problems facing the transport industry is the lack of adequate human resource development or manpower training development to service the industry. Also, the human factor is the most sensitive and volatile of all factors of input in production and therefore requires proper handling so that the …
Can the material for “Computerized Cleaner Attendance Information System” be used as a guide for Information System Project?
Yes it can be used — Cleaner Attendance Information System is a software developed for daily Cleaner attendance in Organizations and institutions. The ability to compute the attendance percentage becomes a major task as manual computation produces errors, and also wastes a lot of time. For the stated reason, an efficient attendance management system using biometrics is designed. This system takes attendance electronically with the help of a fingerprint device and the records of the attendance are stored in a database. The aim of the study is to design and develop a reliable, scalable and cost-effective Fingerprint based Cleaner Attendance Information System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to carry out the analysis of manual processes involved in class attendance and …
Can the material for “Design and Implementation of an Academic Information System Using Relational Database and HTTP Server” be used as a guide for Computer Science (CS) Project?
Yes it can be used — In our today activities, most people have some kind of database collections of CDs, students’ academic entries, a phonebook of phone numbers and name entries, vehicles parts, records to be processed by a program. The aim of the study is to design and implement a Computer Based Academic Information System Using Relational Database and HTTP Server. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will help in making the processing of information as well as on the sport feedback faster and provide spring board for our young database developer. The motivation that led to the implementation of the proposed system is that in Federal Polytechnic, Owerri the method of …
Can this topic “Merger and Acquisition in the Banking Industry in Nigeria” be used for Banking and Finance (BF) Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The study is to highlight the importance of mergers and acquisition in the survival and growth of Nigeria companies. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to state the benefits of mergers and acquisition in Nigerian economic development and explore into reasons why Nigerian indigenous companies are not involved in mergers and acquisition and other related business combinations. The motivation of embarking on this research work is as a result of the inability of the concerned companies to engage qualified and experience consultants to manage the business. Most of the companies who want to engage in mergers and acquisition are face with these problems because. There are not trained or qualified and experienced consultants that will …
Can this topic “The Role of Agricultural Sector as an Accelerator for Economic Growth in Nigeria” be used for Economics Project?
Yes it can be utilized for research — The development of agriculture since 1960 and its contribution to the growth of the economy has been discussed in the course of this study. It is however obvious from the analysis that though agriculture has contributed positively to economic growth, there are fundamental problems attributable largely to the characteristics of Nigerian agriculture. It is also evident that unfavourable environments as well as poor implementation of economic policies were detrimental to output increase in the sector. Thus, the pace of modernization of the sector has been very slow. These problems and other outstanding constraints discussed in detail in this work have prevented the sector from contributing to the achievement of the set objectives including laying a solid foundation for Nigerians agrarian base. …