KNOWLEDGE, RISK PERSPECTIVE OF VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN NIGERIA


KNOWLEDGE, RISK PERSPECTIVE OF VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN NIGERIA  

ABSTRACT

This study examines the knowledge, risk perspective of viral Hemorrhagic fever. Faced with the problem of lack of knowledge and understanding of the risk of the disease which results to the death of a large proportion of the world's population, the study was guided by the following objectives; 

1. To investigate the knowledge of Nigerians on the source of viral Hemorrhagic fevers.

2. To assess Nigerians' understanding of the mode of transmission of viral Hemorrhagic fevers.

3. To determine how much of a danger, the disease is perceived to pose.

The study employed descriptive and explanatory design, questionnaires in addition to library research were applied in order to collect data. Primary and secondary data sources were used and data was analyzed using statistical package which was presented in frequency tables and percentage. The respondents under the study were 30 Citizens of Nigeria. The study findings revealed that there is a significant impact [knowledge of Viral Hemorrhagic] has on [risk of Viral Hemorrhagic]. Linear regression significant at 0.05 level (2-tailed), 0.00 indicates the significance of interaction between two variables an indication that the significant is under the range of 0.0 and 0.05.

Using the above findings, it implied that there is a strong relationship between [knowledge of Viral Hemorrhagic] and [risk of Viral Hemorrhagic]. Key recommendations from the study are; 

1. Healthcare professionals should stay up-to-date on the latest information and research on VHF outbreaks, symptoms, transmission, and treatment options.

2. Healthcare facilities should have protocols in place for detecting and responding to VHF outbreaks, including isolation and treatment of infected patients and contact tracing.

3. The general public should participate in public health campaigns aimed at preventing the spread of VHF, such as vaccination campaigns and awareness programs.

4. the general public should practice good hygiene, including washing hands regularly, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with sick people.

5. The general public should avoid contact with infected animals, such as rodents and bats, which can transmit the virus to humans.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) defines viral Hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) as a class of diseases that are susceptible to outbreaks and are brought on by a variety of different virus families. These extremely infectious viruses lead to potentially life-threatening disease states marked by high body temperatures, lethargy, vomiting, mucosal and gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage, edema, and low blood pressure (Piggott, 2021). While some VHFs only cause comparatively minor illnesses, others can have severe, even fatal effects. For the majority of VHFs, there is presently no known treatment or vaccine (Centers for Disease Control, 2021).

The viruses involved in viral hemorrhagic fever are classified into 4 related families: Arenaviridae (Argentine, Bolivian, Brazilian, and Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever; and Lassa fever); Bunyaviridae (Hantavirus genus, Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) of Nairovirus genus, and Rift Valley fever virus of Phlebovirus genus); Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses); and Flaviviridae (dengue and yellow fever). The diseases they cause are grouped by viral family (Blumberg et al., 2014; Magnat, 2022).

Although VHFs are caused by several virus families, these viruses share some common features. All HF viruses are small, single-stranded RNA viruses with lipid enveloped membranes (CDC, 2021; Cobo, 2023). Other common elements are that they exist naturally in animal or insect populations, known as host populations, and generally in geographic areas where host species live (Blumberg et al., 2014; CDC, 2021).

They spread to humans when they come into contact with an infected animal or insect host. Exposure to the urine, feaces, and other substances of infected rodents can lead to human infection. People can also become infected with VHF through mosquito or tick bites, or even through crushing an infected tick. In some cases, it is unclear how people are infected.

Additionally, some types of VHF viruses - including Ebola, Marburg and Lassa - can be passed from person to person. They are spread through bodily fluids or through direct contact with an infected individual. People can also become infected through contact with contaminated objects such as needles or syringes (Minnesota Department of Health, 2022; CDC, 2021).

Globally, there is an increasing concern over the incidence and recurrence of viral hemorrhagic fever. VHFs put a larger portion of the world's population at risk. VHF outbreaks in humans can be difficult to prevent because they can occur sporadically and are not easily predictable (CDC, 2021). They cause large-scale epidemics and create critical situations that can disrupt the normal life of residents, businesses or social structures. The latter is more common in poor African countries, especially in the tropics; natural niche of these microorganisms (Ftika and Maltezou, 2013).

Hemorrhagic fever is now understood to be caused by numerous viruses, including Ebola, Marburg, and yellow fever in Africa. Lassa has a moderate case fatality rate compared to the filoviruses Ebola and Marburg, which can cause epidemics and have high fatality rates (Gomez and Anderson, 2022).

On March 23, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the forested rural region of southeastern Guinea. The detection of these first cases marked the outbreak of the West African Ebola epidemic, the largest in history. This has raised international alarm due to severe symptoms, high mortality rates, and the threat of pandemic or epidemic spread associated with large-scale migration to disease-free African and European countries (CDC, 2019).

In Nigeria, viral Hemorrhagic fevers are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. They have been responsible for thousands of deaths of Nigerians over the years.  Six Hemorrhagic fever (HF) viruses, including: yellow fever virus, Lassa fever virus, dengue virus, Ebola virus, Rift valley fever virus, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever virus, have been identified in the nation (Fagbami and Onoja, 2018).

However, only 4 of these have contributed to Hemorrhagic fever in Nigerians. Yellow fever and Lassa fever viruses were responsible for majority of the epidemics and deaths (WHO, 2012; Oladejo et al., 2016), while dengue and Ebola viruses (DENVs) have caused sporadic outbreaks affecting a small number of patients (Folarin et al., 2016; Onoja et al., 2016). No cases of Hemorrhagic fever caused by Rift Valley fever or Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus have been reported so far in Nigeria (Fagbami and Onoja, 2018).

With the current high global disease burden and associated lethality, management of VHF relies primarily on strict adherence to recommended precautions, which are primarily avoidance of contact with susceptible species and administration of vaccines. It is important to note that there are no vaccines to prevent these diseases, except for yellow fever and Argentine hemorrhagic fever, for which vaccines have been developed (WHO, 2021).

However, the effectiveness of these measures largely depends on the public's knowledge, attitudes and risk perception. Ultimately, an individual's knowledge, attitude, and risk perception are key to influencing decisions regarding risky behavior, as people with low risk behaviors tend to reduce preventive behavior, while people with higher risk perceptions engage in preventive behavior.

It is not clear how much Nigerians know and understand the risk of viral hemorrhagic fever. It is therefore imperative to conduct knowledge and risk perception surveys on viral hemorrhagic fever in Nigeria. Hence, the purpose of this study.

1.2 Aim of the Study

The study is aimed at assessing the level of knowledge and risk perception of viral Hemorrhagic fevers in Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study had the following specific objectives: 

4. To investigate the knowledge of Nigerians on the source of viral Hemorrhagic fevers.

5. To assess Nigerians' understanding of the mode of transmission of viral Hemorrhagic fevers.

6. To determine how much of a danger, the disease is perceived to pose.

1.4 Statement of the Problem

The goal of disease prevention is to lessen the burden of illness and associated risk factors through targeted measures that are both population- and person-based for primary and secondary (early detection) prevention (European Commission, 2021). Although the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of diseases are preventable, a large proportion of the world's population still die from disease infections (WHO, 2017). This is partly due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of the risk of the disease.

Good knowledge, and risk perception which refers to the way the diseases is understood/interpreted, is important in predicting an individual's response to an infection occurring in their own lives as well as the lives of others. Understanding people's perceptions of viral hemorrhagic fever is important because perceptions can act as triggers for precautionary measures, engaging in preventive health behaviors, and reporting suspected VHF cases.

However, there is a paucity of studies that assess the knowledge and understanding of viral hemorrhagic fever among Nigerians.

1.5 Justification of the Study

Although knowledge and risk perception studies have been conducted on VHF in Nigeria, these studies focused only on Lassa fever as part of the epidemic response and not on VHF in general. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the general knowledge and risk perception of viral hemorrhagic fever among Nigerians. 

The findings of this study will be useful for students, teachers, health professionals, and policy makers in government and related parties to develop policies to help prevent the disease and promote health. Finally, the analysis presented in this study will convey important information for future research.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study covers the knowledge and risk perception about viral Hemorrhagic fevers in general among Nigerians. Data for the study will be obtained from Nigerians, aged 18 years and above in the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

.

KNOWLEDGE, RISK PERSPECTIVE OF VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN NIGERIA



TYPE IN YOUR TOPIC AND CLICK SEARCH.






RESEARCHWAP.ORG

Researchwap.org is an online repository for free project topics and research materials, articles and custom writing of research works. We’re an online resource centre that provides a vast database for students to access numerous research project topics and materials. Researchwap.org guides and assist Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Final Year Students with well researched and quality project topics, topic ideas, research guides and project materials. We’re reliable and trustworthy, and we really understand what is called “time factor”, that is why we’ve simplified the process so that students can get their research projects ready on time. Our platform provides more educational services, such as hiring a writer, research analysis, and software for computer science research and we also seriously adhere to a timely delivery.

TESTIMONIES FROM OUR CLIENTS


Please feel free to carefully review some written and captured responses from our satisfied clients.

  • "Exceptionally outstanding. Highly recommend for all who wish to have effective and excellent project defence. Easily Accessable, Affordable, Effective and effective."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "I saw this website on facebook page and I did not even bother since I was in a hurry to complete my project. But I am totally amazed that when I visited the website and saw the topic I was looking for and I decided to give a try and now I have received it within an hour after ordering the material. Am grateful guys!"

    Hilary Yusuf, United States International University Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • "Researchwap.org is a website I recommend to all student and researchers within and outside the country. The web owners are doing great job and I appreciate them for that. Once again, thank you very much "researchwap.org" and God bless you and your business! ."

    Debby Henry George, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA.
  • "Great User Experience, Nice flows and Superb functionalities.The app is indeed a great tech innovation for greasing the wheels of final year, research and other pedagogical related project works. A trial would definitely convince you."

    Lamilare Valentine, Kwame Nkrumah University, Kumasi, Ghana.
  • "I love what you guys are doing, your material guided me well through my research. Thank you for helping me achieve academic success."

    Sampson, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
  • "researchwap.com is God-sent! I got good grades in my seminar and project with the help of your service, thank you soooooo much."

    Cynthia, Akwa Ibom State University .
  • "Sorry, it was in my spam folder all along, I should have looked it up properly first. Please keep up the good work, your team is quite commited. Am grateful...I will certainly refer my friends too."

    Elizabeth, Obafemi Awolowo University
  • "Am happy the defense went well, thanks to your articles. I may not be able to express how grateful I am for all your assistance, but on my honour, I owe you guys a good number of referrals. Thank you once again."

    Ali Olanrewaju, Lagos State University.
  • "My Dear Researchwap, initially I never believed one can actually do honest business transactions with Nigerians online until i stumbled into your website. You have broken a new legacy of record as far as am concerned. Keep up the good work!"

    Willie Ekereobong, University of Port Harcourt.
  • "WOW, SO IT'S TRUE??!! I can't believe I got this quality work for just 3k...I thought it was scam ooo. I wouldn't mind if it goes for over 5k, its worth it. Thank you!"

    Theressa, Igbinedion University.
  • "I did not see my project topic on your website so I decided to call your customer care number, the attention I got was epic! I got help from the beginning to the end of my project in just 3 days, they even taught me how to defend my project and I got a 'B' at the end. Thank you so much researchwap.com, infact, I owe my graduating well today to you guys...."

    Joseph, Abia state Polytechnic.
  • "My friend told me about ResearchWap website, I doubted her until I saw her receive her full project in less than 15 miniutes, I tried mine too and got it same, right now, am telling everyone in my school about researchwap.com, no one has to suffer any more writing their project. Thank you for making life easy for me and my fellow students... Keep up the good work"

    Christiana, Landmark University .
  • "I wish I knew you guys when I wrote my first degree project, it took so much time and effort then. Now, with just a click of a button, I got my complete project in less than 15 minutes. You guys are too amazing!."

    Musa, Federal University of Technology Minna
  • "I was scared at first when I saw your website but I decided to risk my last 3k and surprisingly I got my complete project in my email box instantly. This is so nice!!!."

    Ali Obafemi, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State.
  • To contribute to our success story, send us a feedback or please kindly call 2348037664978.
    Then your comment and contact will be published here also with your consent.

    Thank you for choosing researchwap.com.