Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025178 (Oral 130) | Published: 15 Aug 2025
Audu Onyemocho1,&, Tsavyange Peter Mbaave2, Genesis Terna Kwaghgande3, Samuel Ngishe4, Benita Kanshio4, Shembe-Agela Igbabul5
1Department of Community Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria, 2Departments of Medicine, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, 3Nursing Department, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, 4Public Health Emergency Operation Centre, Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, 5Public Health Department, Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
&Corresponding author: Audu Onyemocho, Department of Community Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria. Email: audu.onyemocho@fuhso.edu.ng
Received: 05 May 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 15 Aug 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Lassa fever, survivors, stigmatization, treatment outcome, Benue, Nigeria
©Audu Onyemocho 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: Audu Onyemocho et al. Assessment of treatment outcome and associated stigmatization and discrimination among Lassa Fever patients treated at the Benue State Treatment Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00130. https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph-confpro5-00130
Lassa fever continues to affect communities in Nigeria, exhibiting a high case fatality rate despite intervention efforts. Survivors and their families frequently face stigmatization and discrimination, which hinders their reintegration and access to care. This study assessed treatment outcomes and stigma among patients at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi, Benue State.
Among 102 suspected cases admitted, 46.1% (n=47) tested positive for Lassa fever, with a case fatality rate of 12.8% (n=6). Of the 41 discharged patients, 61.0% (n = 25) left without complications, 29.3% (n = 12) were transferred for ongoing care, and 9.8% (n = 4) were transferred for management of acute renal injury. Over half of the patients (51.2%) experienced community discrimination, rooted in misconceptions about the disease. The majority of the communities believe that survivors are contagious or that contracting the disease is a form of punishment from the gods. Two deceased patients (50.0%) were denied burial in their communities, and healthcare workers facilitating safe burials faced assaults.
While treatment outcomes for Lassa fever at BSUTH were favourable, significant stigma persists, affecting survivors’ lives, their ability to reintegrate into their communities, and access to healthcare. A targeted strategy that incorporates education, awareness, and community engagement is vital to addressing these challenges.
Menu