ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN LASSA FEVER CONTAINMENT IN AKOKO-EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

TOPIC: ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN LASSA FEVER CONTAINMENT IN AKOKO-EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

THIS TOPIC IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR:
1-Department of Public Health
2-Department of Environmental Health
3-Department of Community Health
4-Department of Nursing Science
This research material contains:
1-Chapter One to Five
2-Recent References/citations
3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four
4-Accurate Data Analysis
5-Table of Contents
6-Questionnare

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine enhancing knowledge and perception of waste management practices in Lassa fever containment in Akoko Edo Local Government Area. The study was specifically carried out to assess the level of knowledge of waste management practices for Lassa fever containment among residents of Akoko Edo Local Government Area, examine residents’ perception of the role of waste management practices in the prevention and containment of Lassa fever in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, determine the extent to which proper waste disposal practices are adopted by residents for Lassa fever containment in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, and examine strategies for enhancing knowledge and improving positive perceptions of waste management practices for effective Lassa fever containment in Akoko Edo Local Government Area. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised 262,110 residents and relevant stakeholders involved in waste management and Lassa fever containment in Akoko Edo Local Government Area. A sample size of 399 respondents was derived using the Taro Yamane formula, while a validated sample size of 384 respondents was used for the study. A multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods was adopted for the selection of respondents. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that residents possessed a moderate level of knowledge of waste management practices for Lassa fever containment, with an average agreement response of 57.9%. The study also showed that residents had a moderately positive perception of the role of waste management practices in the prevention and containment of Lassa fever, with an average agreement response of 59.2%. Likewise, the findings revealed a moderate extent of adoption of proper waste disposal practices for Lassa fever containment among residents, with an average agreement response of 54.0%. The study further revealed that public enlightenment campaigns, community education, provision of waste disposal facilities, involvement of community leaders, and stakeholder collaboration were effective strategies for enhancing knowledge and improving positive perceptions of waste management practices, with an average agreement response of 60.9%. The study therefore recommends that regular public enlightenment programmes, improved waste disposal facilities, community participation initiatives, and collaborative environmental health interventions should be strengthened to promote effective waste management practices and enhance Lassa fever containment in Akoko Edo Local Government Area.
Keywords: Waste Management Practices, Knowledge, Perception, Lassa Fever Containment, Environmental Sanitation.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background to the Study
Lassa fever continues to be a significant public health threat globally, and has been endemic in West Africa where it is recurrent, influencing health security agendas. Due to its epidemic potential and implications for disease preparedness and environmental health management, the disease caused by Lassa virus, which is primarily transmitted by multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis), has received increasing international attention. Lassa fever experts believe that clinical management is not enough; environmental sanitation and proper waste management should be done as well. Besson et al. (2024) suggested that environmental interventions are an essential part of sustainable strategies for controlling Lassa fever, and Garry (2022) proposed that community and household interventions are essential for breaking transmission chains. Likewise, Chibueze et al (2022) pointed out that ecological and social determinants play significant roles in the spread of disease, which further highlights the need for waste management and proper hygiene practices. Similarly, Taboe et al. (2025) concluded that there were environmental factors that were hidden determinants of the Lassa fever dynamics, which means that containment of the disease would need a combination of biomedical and environmental strategies.
As a result of the global focus on environmental health, waste management has become a critical public health approach for preventing infectious diseases. Waste management involves collecting, segregating, storing, treating and disposing waste in a manner that will not harm human health or the environment. It was argued that good waste management principles minimize environmental pollution and provide less opportunity for the growth of pathogens as noted by Etim, Omole and Araoye (2022). With respect to Lassa fever, it is important to dispose of domestic refuse, food residues and other biodegradable waste to minimize attraction of rodents and human-rodent contact. To support the above, Catherine et al. (2025) showed that multisectoral interventions, such as waste management and rodent control, play a significant role in Lassa fever mitigation. Similarly, Utip, Krayer, and Williams (2025) highlighted the importance of safe waste management in the prevention of infections in endemic environments. Hence, waste management has found a place in the discussion of the environment health as part of a wider discourse that aims at better containment of the spread of infectious diseases and building of the community resilience.
The importance of waste management is now increasingly recognized and the focus moved to the influence of knowledge on preventive behavior. Knowledge is defined as people's awareness of how the disease is spread and the environmental risk factors and prevention. The results from various communities in Nigeria indicate that a good knowledge level improves the compliance of people to the recommended health practice. For example, Usuwa et al. (2020) found that individuals with higher knowledge levels had greater appreciation of preventive actions to take against Lassa fever. Likewise, Ejembi et al. (2020) found that community awareness significantly influences attitude in the prevention of a disease during an outbreak. Aromolaran (2023) in another study, stated that knowledge about environmental sanitation and household hygiene practice is still the mainstay of preventing the transmission of Lassa fever in the rural communities. Akinbodewa et al. (2023) found knowledge gaps among healthcare workers, suggesting a need for ongoing training and education to enhance preventive practices. Therefore, improving the knowledge about waste management practices can be an approach to reinforce the Lassa fever containment efforts in the community.
Closely linked to knowledge is perception, which influences how individuals interpret risks and adopt preventive behaviours. The perception of risk is a factor in the importance of waste management for disease prevention in the community. According to Al-Mustapha et al. (2024) susceptibility and severity perceptions are significant factors in compliance with Lassa fever preventive measures. Similarly, Orhewere, Ojo and Anikwe (2021) reported that perceptions of Lassa fever influenced the community's response to public health interventions in Afenmai communities. Additionally, Ben-Enukora et al. (2021) stated that perceived behavioural control contributes greatly in maintaining preventive practices in endemic regions. Besides, Kamara et al., (2024) also found that there was a positive correlation between perceived knowledge and attitude to Lassa fever risk factors. Such results indicate that having a positive attitude towards waste management as a prevention method can encourage sound environmental sanitation practices which can support community-based disease prevention efforts.
Following the knowledge and perception, scholars have been focusing on the adoption of proper preventive practices and strategies for behaviour improvement. Research in Nigerian endemic communities shows that the practice of household sanitation and proper disposal of refuse and environmental cleanliness are key to prevention behaviors. In a study by Ossai et al. (2020), it was found that households with recommended sanitation practices had a more positive attitude in terms of their preventive attitude to Lassa fever. Similarly, Isere et al. (2022) found significant uptake at the household level, especially among households reached by the health education interventions. In addition, Ben-Enukora et al. (2020) has also proved that culturally relevant communication strategies like indigenous language radio jingles are effective to enhance knowledge, attitudes and practices in the prevention of Lassa fever. Similarly, Erubami (2022) revealed that mass media exposure has a positive effect on knowledge and prevention behaviors in rural Nigeria and the need for active engagement of communities as a sustainable strategy to enhance prevention and control in the study area. Gobir (2025) also stressed the importance of community engagement as a sustainable method for improving prevention and control in the study area. In this context, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, which lies within the area where Lassa fever is known to have its endemicity, provides an important context to study the knowledge, perception, and adoption of waste management practice as well as the strategies for improving community-based containment (Alenoghena & Omuemu, 2021; Saka et al., 2025).

1.2 Statement of the Problem
Lassa fever continues to constitute a recurrent public health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in endemic states such as Edo State where environmental and household factors significantly influence disease transmission. In endemic communities, people are expected to have a good knowledge of waste management, have positive perceptions of the importance of environmental sanitation and always practice proper waste disposal behaviours to reduce rodent infestation and/or to break the chain of transmission of the disease. Besson et al. (2024) emphasize the need for integrated approaches to environmental sanitation and community involvement in controlling Lassa fever. Likewise, Catherine et al. (2025) highlighted the importance of good waste management practices and environmental health measures in the prevention of RHC and the spread of disease. But, empirical data show that there are still gaps in community members' knowledge, perceptions and preventative practices in several endemic settings. For example, Usuwa et al. (2020) reported the inadequacy of the residents' knowledge and varying risk perceptions in the affected communities, while Alenoghena and Omuemu (2021) reported that residents in rural Edo State were still exposed to risk factors in the household and environment. Furthermore, Saka et al. (2025) and Daniel et al. (2024) identified gaps in knowledge about Lassa fever and adherence to recommended prevention measures. These circumstances can affect the continuity of the transmission of the disease, the vulnerability of households and the ability of the community to contain the disease.
Existing studies have largely concentrated on general knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions and preventive practices relating to Lassa fever among healthcare workers, household heads, traders and residents in different parts of Nigeria (Adeke et al., 2021; Solomonnyamsoh et al., 2024). Some other researchers have studied the effectiveness of risk communication and community involvement for promoting preventive behaviours (Ben-Enukora et al., 2020; Ilesanmi et al., 2025). While these studies have helped in the understanding of Lassa fever prevention, there has been little empirical research on residents' knowledge and perception of waste management as a means of Lassa fever containment especially in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. Furthermore, existing research has not adequately incorporated the dimensions of knowledge, perceptions and actual waste disposal practices into one study in the study area; nor has it included dimensions of possible behavioural change. This Contextual and conceptual gap gives rise to the need for the present study which aims to appraise the level of knowledge of the residents of Akoko-Edo LGA, to examine their perceptions, and to measure the extent of the adoption of proper waste management practices and to suggest strategies for enhancing the knowledge and positive perception for effective Lassa fever containment in Akoko-Edo LGA.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to examine ways of enhancing knowledge and perception of waste management practices for Lassa fever containment among residents of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. The specific objectives are to:
i.Assess the level of knowledge of waste management practices for Lassa fever containment among residents of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area;
ii.Examine residents’ perception of the role of waste management practices in the prevention and containment of Lassa fever in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area;
iii.Determine the extent to which proper waste disposal practices are adopted by residents for Lassa fever containment in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area; and
iv.Examine strategies for enhancing knowledge and improving positive perceptions of waste management practices for effective Lassa fever containment in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
Other parts of chapter one include:
1.4 Research Questions
 1.5 Research Hypotheses
 1.6 Significance the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter, therefore, focuses on the concept of waste management, the concept of Lassa fever, modes of transmission and risk factors of Lassa fever, knowledge and perception of waste management practices, the role of proper waste management etc.  The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review
2.4 Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a descriptive research design.
Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises residents of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Edo State, including household members and relevant stakeholders involved in waste management and Lassa fever containment.
Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 399 participants.
Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified sampling and convenience sampling to select the individual respondents.
Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.
Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses.
Full outline for chapter three;
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Research Setting
3.3 Target Population
3.4 Sample Size
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Instruments For Data Collection
3.7 Validity and Reliability of Instrument
3.8 Pilot Study
3.9 Method of Data Collection
3.10 Method Of Data Analysis
3.11 Ethical considerations

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following major findings were made:

i. The study found that residents of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area have a moderate level of knowledge of waste management practices for Lassa fever containment, as evidenced by 57.3% who agreed that proper waste disposal reduces the spread of Lassa fever, 57.3% who were aware that accumulated refuse attracts rodents that transmit the disease, and 58.3% who knew that proper storage and disposal of food waste prevent rodent infestation. The corresponding grand mean and hypothesis test results were not provided in the analysis.

ii. The study found that residents have a moderately positive perception of the role of waste management practices in the prevention and containment of Lassa fever, as evidenced by 59.4% who agreed that proper waste management prevents the spread of Lassa fever, 59.4% who recognized the importance of community participation, and 59.4% who agreed that regular waste collection and disposal can reduce the occurrence of Lassa fever. The corresponding grand mean and hypothesis test results were not provided in the analysis.

iii. The study found that residents moderately adopt proper waste disposal practices for Lassa fever containment, as evidenced by 55.2% who regularly dispose of household waste in approved dumping sites, 54.7% who properly dispose of food waste to prevent rodent infestation, and 53.2% who participate in community sanitation activities. The corresponding grand mean and hypothesis test results were not provided in the analysis.

iv. The study found that residents recognized public enlightenment campaigns, adequate waste disposal facilities, and collaboration among health workers, environmental officers, and community members as important strategies for enhancing knowledge and improving positive perceptions of waste management practices for effective Lassa fever containment. This was evidenced by 60.9%, 61.0%, and 60.9% agreement, respectively. The corresponding grand mean and hypothesis test results were not provided in the analysis.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
This chapter covers the following outline:
5.1 Discussion of Findings   
5.2 Implication of the findings
5.3 Limitations of the Study
5.4 Summary 
5.5 Conclusion
5.6 Recommendations
5.7 recommendations for further studies
Reference
Appendix

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