Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025347 (Oral 058) | Published: 12 Aug 2025
Kofoworola Olamide Akinsola1,2,&, Magbagbeola David Dairo2
1Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, 2Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
&Corresponding author: Kofoworola Olamide Akinsola, Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, Email: kofoakinsola@gmail.com
Received: 31 May 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 12 Aug 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Lassa fever, Outbreak, Epidemic preparedness, Healthcare workers, Health institutions
©Kofoworola Olamide Akinsola 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: Kofoworola Olamide Akinsola et al., Assessment of Lassa fever epidemic outbreak preparedness of health institutions in Oyo State. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00058. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00058
Epidemic preparedness includes all activities necessary at national and facility levels to effectively respond to disease outbreaks. In Nigeria, Lassa fever outbreaks are frequent, with healthcare workers at high risk of nosocomial transmission. This study assessed the knowledge, infection control practices, and preparedness of Oyo State health institutions in controlling Lassa fever spread.
A mixed-method approach was used. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 healthcare workers across Oyo State’s 33 LGAs, including DSNOs, ADSNOs, PHCCs/MOHs, and M&E officers. Additionally, a key informant interview was held with the Oyo State Epidemiologist. A semi-structured questionnaire assessed knowledge on a 30-point scale; scores ≥50% indicated good knowledge. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis (P< 0.05).
The respondents’ mean age was 44.6 years (SD=8.34). While 77% demonstrated good knowledge of Lassa fever and its case definition, 58% had poor knowledge of preparedness. Infection control practices were generally good. However, only 48% had received Lassa fever surveillance training, and just 67.7% of those had training on epidemic preparedness. Preparedness pillars at both LGA and state levels were found inadequate. Chi square analysis revealed significant associations between knowledge and present cadre (P< 0.0001) and designation (P=0.002). Being a doctor or nurse was a strong predictor of good knowledge (OR=29.51, 95% CI: 2.50–347.92).
Oyo State’s preparedness for a Lassa fever outbreak remains inadequate. There is a critical need for ongoing epidemic preparedness training. The government should establish an all-hazard Emergency Operations Centre, ensure rapid response team availability, allocate contingency funds, and provide necessary infrastructure to improve preparedness and response capacity for Lassa fever and similar epidemics. Furthermore, significant associations suggest that professional cadre and designation strongly influence knowledge, highlighting the need for targeted capacity-building interventions.
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