EVALUATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND CHALLENGES OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE (PHC) WORKERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LASSA FEVER- A CASE STUDY OF PHC WORKERS IN KUJE AREA COUNCIL OF FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ABUJA NIGERIA

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the knowledge of FCT primary healthcare workers of the National Guidelines on the management of Lassa fever using healthcare workers across various PHC facilities in Kuje Area Council of FCT as case study. The study was conducted across 10 PHC centre in the area council namely Kiyi, Chukuku, Gaupe, Gudunkarya, Gwagwada, Kabin, Kuje Central, Kujekwa, Rabochi and Yencha using the instrument of a well-structured questionnaire to explore how knowledgeable healthcare workers at various PHC facilities were on the guidelines for the management of Lassa fever and outlined some of the factors that could affect the effective and efficient management of Lassa fever disease especially during outbreaks. The respondents displayed a level of familiarity with the guideline designed by the NCDC in collaboration with other agencies that is aimed to make tackling Lassa fever harmonious and seamless. However, findings from this study generally indicated a low level of knowledge on the guideline by the healthcare workers. Some of the factors outlined by the respondents that could hamper the effective implementation of this guideline include; stigmatization, denial and acceptance, inadequate test facilities, sociocultural factors, limited personal protective equipments, poor Lassa fever awareness, lopsided partnership and collaboration, and low reportage of activities on Lassa fever. The findings from this study indicates the necessity of constant engagement of healthcare workers at PHC facilities and other stakeholders in the treatment of Lassa fever and ensuring that the factors that could hamper the effective treatment and management of Lassa fever especially during outbreaks. KEYWORDS: lassa fever, stimitazation, outbreaks, healthcare, knowledge....