Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025417 (Poster 001) | Published: 22 Jul 2025

Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of primary healthcare workers for Lassa fever response in border communities of North-East Nigeria

Markus Wesley Kutte1,&, Samuel Ifeanyi Emmanuel2, Michael Markus3, Glory Sebastian1

1Today For Tomorrow Initiative, Adamawa Nigeria, 2College of Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Anambra, Nigeria, 3Department of Zoology, Modibbo Adama University, Adamawa, Nigeria

&Corresponding author: Markus Wesley Kutte, Today For Tomorrow Initiative, Adamawa, Nigeria. Email: wesleymarkus1254@gmail.com



Received: 13 Mar 2024,  Accepted:  12 Jul 2025, Published: 22 Jul 2025

Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers

This is part of the Proceedings of the ECOWAS 2nd Lassa fever International Conference in Abidjan, September 8 – 11, 2025

Keywords: Border, Preparedness, Lassa Fever, Health Care Workers(HCWs), Health Facilities

©Markus Wesley Kutte et al Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cite this article: Markus Wesley Kutte et al Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of primary healthcare workers for Lassa fever response in border communities of North-East Nigeria. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc 5):00145. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00145

Introduction

Lassa fever continues to challenge health systems across West Africa including underserved border communities with porous entry points. Healthcare workers (HCWs) in these regions often serve as first responders, yet little is known about their preparedness to identify and manage suspected cases. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness of primary HCWs for Lassa fever response in Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in February–March 2025 among 120 HCWs involved in direct patient care from 16 primary health centers across three border local government areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria: Mubi North, Mubi South, and Maiha. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Eligibility criteria included clinical staff present during the study period; administrative personnel were excluded. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge (diagnosis, transmission, prevention), attitudes, and response readiness to Lassa fever based on national case definitions. Data was analyzed using SPSS v25. A preparedness index score was developed from facility characteristics and HCWs responses to categorize centers as low, moderate, or high-risk for Lassa response. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 10 facility heads were analyzed thematically to provide contextual insights. Ethical approval was obtained from the Adamawa State Health Research Ethics Committee.

Results

Out of the 120 HCWs surveyed, only 46 (38%) identified all key symptoms of Lassa fever, 53 (44%) were unaware of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reporting protocol.86 (72%) expressed concern about Lassa outbreaks, just 28 (23%) reported receiving training on case identification or infection prevention and control. Based on the preparedness index, only 2 of 16 health facilities had an isolation room, and none had Personal Protective Equipment stocks sufficient for more than one week. Interviews with facility heads revealed key challenges including staff shortages, limited access to training, and weak referral pathways.

Conclusion

HCWs in border communities of North-East Nigeria remain underprepared to effectively respond to Lassa fever threats. Training gaps and weak facility-level systems may undermine early detection and containment efforts. Targeted investment in capacity-building and supply chain readiness in these frontline facilities is critical to strengthening Nigerias epidemic preparedness at cross-border levels.
 
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Keywords

  • Border
  • Preparedness
  • Lassa Fever
  • Health Care Workers(HCWs)
  • Health Facilities
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