CORRELATES OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PREVENTIVE BEHAVIOURS OF LASSA FEVER AMONG RESIDENTS OF EKOSODIN COMMUNITY IGUDIA E.O., OBASUYI O. H and IZEVBUWA E A

The aim of the study was to examine the correlates of knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviours of Lassa Fever among residents of Ekosodin community. Five research questions were raised and answered in the study. 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 method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument in which a Pearson’s Product correlation Co-efficient scoreof 0.88 was obtained. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The result revealed that majority of the respondents have high knowledge level of Lassa fever and its preventive behaviours. They also have positive attitudes toward preventive behaviours of Lassa fever and engage in the preventive behaviours positively. The study also revealed that there is a fairly strong positive relationship between knowledge, attitudes and preventive behaviours of Lassa fever among residents of Ekosodin Community. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the high knowledge level of Lassa fever should be sustained through constant jingles in Ekosodin and neighbouring communities.