Dealing with stigma and its impact on Lassa-fever survivors in Ondo state

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by a rodent-borne arenavirus that is endemic in West Africa. Globally, people living with diseases like Leprosy, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Lassa fever have been stigmatized. Although awareness is being created and treatment provided there are societal factors that drive stigma. Treatment of Lassa fever is mainly supportive and societal attributes contribute to stigmatization of the disease as well as the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, effective strategies to create awareness, educate people and reduce levels of stigma associated with Lassa fever in the community have not been fully utilized. Thus, the study examined the effect of stigma among the Lassa fever survivors in Ondo state.

 

The study utilized the qualitative survey method. Six interviews were conducted to examine the effect of stigma among 6 Lassa fever survivors. The respondents consisted of 5 males and 1 female between the ages of 36-57 years old; who had attained a level of formal education and were employed in public and private sectors. They resided in semi-urban areas. Thematic analysis was used to determine the factors that caused stigma among the survivors.

 

A total of 6 persons (5 males and 1 female) were interviewed. They all (6) reported that they had experienced some form of stigma while they were suspects to being treated for Lassa fever. Four had little knowledge of Lassa fever while 5 were not aware of the symptoms. All (6) of the respondents were scared of contracting Lassa fever and were alienated at one point in time or the other by significant others, health workers and members of their immediate community. Lassa Fever survivors had experienced stigma and struggled to cope with their diagnosis, treatment and care. Stigma had a negative impact on the survivors as they had experienced some initial alienation from members in their communities. Findings highlight the need to educate people and engage the community to create care, treatment and support programs to reduce the stigma associated with Lassa fever as well as provide psychosocial counseling to survivors, their significant others, treatment partners and relatives.