ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to examine the correlates of knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviors  of Lassa Fever among residents of Ekosodin community. Eight research questions were raised to guide the study while five hypotheses were formulated.

The descriptive survey research design was used to carry out the study. The population of the study was four thousand, seven hundred and thirty (4,730) residents in Ekosodin community while a sample size of three hundred (300) respondents was used for the study. A validated self-structured questionnaire was used and test-re -test reliability method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument in which a Pearson correlation co-efficient of 0.88 was obtained thus the instrument is reliable. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and simple percentage while the hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s product moment correlation co-efficient.

The result revealed that majority of the respondents have high knowledge of lassa fever and its preventive behaviors, they also have positive attitudes towards preventive behaviors of Lassa fever and engage in the preventive behaviors adequately. The studies also revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between knowledge of Lassa fever, attitude, and preventive behaviors of Lassa fever among residents of Ekosodin Community. educational background, age and socio-economic status influenced  preventive behaviors of Lassa fever among residents of Ekosodin Community. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended amongst others that urban communities should be properly sensitized in order to improve awareness and knowledge of Lassa fever, positive attitudes and preventive behaviors of Lassa fever.