Lassa Fever-associated Stigmatization among Staff and Students of the University of Benin, Nigeria
- DOI
- 10.2991/jegh.k.190514.001How to use a DOI?
- Keywords
- Associated stigmatization; Lassa fever; psychosocial; staff; students; University of Benin
- Abstract
Lassa Fever (LF) remains a health burden in several endemic areas of Nigeria, and its toll remains unabated over several decades. Although most studies have focused on virological and clinical considerations, few studies have attempted to address the perceived psychosocial component of LF disease in Nigeria. Evaluation of stigmatization and discrimination faced by LF survivors is an important step in improving individual health and protecting public health. This study aimed to assess LF-associated stigmatization associated among staff and students of the University of Benin. Descriptive analyses of 600 consenting respondents (300 staff and 300 students) sampled using pretested questionnaires was conducted, and the Chi-square test was used to test for significant association between perceived LF stigmatization and predefined variables. LF was a potential cause of stigmatization in a higher proportion of student (n = 162, 57.9%) than staff (n = 112, 39.9%). LF-associated stigmatization among students was significantly associated with sex (p = 0.012) and poor knowledge (p = 0.013) of LF transmission and prevention. A greater tendency for stigmatization was observed among females than males. A comprehensive emergency response plan incorporating accurate knowledge dissemination about the disease may be a first step toward tackling perceived LF stigmatization.
- Copyright
- © 2019 Atlantis Press International B.V.
- Open Access
- This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).
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TY - JOUR AU - Stella Folajole Usifoh AU - Amienwanlen Eugene Odigie AU - Stephena Udinmande Ighedosa AU - Edwin Aihanuwa Uwagie-Ero AU - Isoken Tito Aighewi PY - 2019 DA - 2019/06/11 TI - Lassa Fever-associated Stigmatization among Staff and Students of the University of Benin, Nigeria JO - Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health SP - 107 EP - 115 VL - 9 IS - 2 SN - 2210-6014 UR - https://doi.org/10.2991/jegh.k.190514.001 DO - 10.2991/jegh.k.190514.001 ID - Usifoh2019 ER -