Comparison of Lassa fever prevention practices between public and private primary health care facilities in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Lassa fever is endemic in Nigeria and health care workers are at a high risk of contracting and transmitting the infection. This study compares Lassa fever prevention practices among health care providers in public and private Primary Health Care facilities in Jos.
Methods: The study used a comparative cross-sectional design to study health care workers in 29 Primary Health Care facilities selected using a two-stage sampling technique. All health care workers who attended to patients were interviewed using a semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 and a p-value of ≤ 0.5 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Majority of the respondents had neither received on-the-job training on Lassa fever prevention (91.9%) nor Universal Standard Precautions (88.7%). Private Primary Health Care facilities had better supplies and equipment for Lassa fever prevention compared to their public counterparts. Majority (65.8%) of respondents had poor Lassa fever prevention practices and this was worse in the private (75.4%) than the public (55.6%) facilities. No facility met all the requirements for Lassa fever prevention. Training had a statistically significant association with good practice among public Primary Health Care facilities.
Conclusion: Noncompliance with Lassa fever prevention practice is still common in Primary Health Care facilities. This is worse in private facilities. Continuous training and improved supplies of materials and equipment are necessary for effective Lassa fever prevention among these health care providers.