article · Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health
Lassa fever remains a critical public health issue in Nigeria, where patients face both clinical risks and severe post-recovery discrimination. A clinical and community assessment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital reviewed 102 suspected cases during 2024. Of these, 47 tested positive, yielding a case fatality rate of 12.8 per cent. Most discharged individuals recovered without complications, though nearly ten per cent required specialised transfer for acute renal injury. Alongside medical outcomes, over half of the patients experienced significant community discrimination caused by misconceptions, including beliefs that survivors remain infectious or that the illness represents divine punishment. Stigmatisation extended to the deceased, with half of deceased patients denied local burials and healthcare personnel facing physical assault during safe burial procedures. Addressing these challenges requires sustained community engagement and targeted public education alongside clinical care.
Lassa fever interventions often focus primarily on clinical management, but social barriers can undermine overall healthcare delivery. When communities associate the disease with divine punishment or ongoing contagion, survivors face rejection and healthcare workers encounter physical violence. Understanding these patterns shows public health programmes that clinical survival alone is insufficient without accompanying community education and safe reintegration practices.
The abstract does not evaluate a commercial product or technology, focusing instead on clinical outcomes and observational social data. However, public health agencies, health communication developers, and community organisations could use these findings to design targeted educational campaigns, community engagement toolkits, and safe burial protocols. As an observational epidemiological and social study, the work is at an applied assessment stage without a direct commercial pathway indicated.
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Introduction: 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. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at BSUTH from January to December 2024, using pretested questionnaires and qualitative tools for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS and NVivo, with results presented in descriptive and qualitative formats. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.
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DOI: 10.37432/jieph-confpro5-00130
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