Knowledge and Perception of Lassa Fever Among Medical Students in Southeastern Nigeria: A Study of Ebonyi State University
Abstract
Lassa fever, an acute hemorrhagic viral illness endemic in West Africa, poses a significant public health danger. Understanding medical students' knowledge of this disease is essential for effective future healthcare provision and disease management. The research employed a cross-sectional approach, surveying 250 medical students from various academic years through a structured questionnaire. This comprehensive instrument explored students' knowledge across key domains, including epidemiology, transmission dynamics, clinical manifestations, potential complications, and preventive strategies related to Lassa fever. Findings revealed a progressive enhancement of disease knowledge as students advanced through their medical education. Fifth-year students consistently demonstrated the most sophisticated understanding, achieving correct response rates of 90-100% across most assessment areas. While there was remarkable consistency in identifying the disease's Nigerian origins (72-98.5%) and primary transmission through Mastomys rats (76-100%), significant variations emerged in other knowledge domains. Notably, students' comprehension of disease seasonality showed considerable variability (25.3-90%), highlighting potential gaps in educational coverage. A particularly concerning finding was the widespread misconception about vaccine availability, with 44-75% of students incorrectly believing a vaccine existed. Clinical feature and preventive measure understanding demonstrated a clear correlation with academic progression, with higher-level students exhibiting comprehensive knowledge (92-100%) compared to their junior counterparts (40-60%). The study underscores the current medical curriculum's effectiveness in gradually building Lassa fever knowledge while simultaneously revealing critical areas requiring targeted educational intervention. Recommendations include strategically enhancing curriculum focus, introducing foundational concepts earlier, implementing continuous education programs, increasing practical exposure, and diversifying teaching methodologies to comprehensively prepare future healthcare professionals for managing this significant regional health challenge.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Ebede Samuel Onuzuluike , Ene Chidiebere Brown , Akpa Winifred Chinwendu , Nweke Idakari Chinedu , Okafor Dickson I
"Knowledge and Perception of Lassa Fever Among Medical Students in Southeastern Nigeria: A Study of Ebonyi State University" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 8 Issue 6 2024 Page 696-703
IEEE:
Ebede Samuel Onuzuluike , Ene Chidiebere Brown , Akpa Winifred Chinwendu , Nweke Idakari Chinedu , Okafor Dickson I
"Knowledge and Perception of Lassa Fever Among Medical Students in Southeastern Nigeria: A Study of Ebonyi State University" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 8(6)
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