AWARENESS OF LASSA FEVER AMONG FOOD PROCESSOR: A CASE STUDY OF GARRI PROCESSORS IN AKURE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

• S. A. Oni

  Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

  Author

• A. O. Oduwale

  Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

  Author

• D. K. Akinrinsoye

  Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

  Author

Lassa fever has been said to have high morbidity and mortality as it remains a major public health challenge in West Africa with Nigeria bearing the highest burden. The study therefore investigated the awareness of lassa fever among garri processors in Akure North Local government area of Ondo State. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used in the sample selection process. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that 36% of the respondents were male while 64% were female, 65% of the respondents are below the age of 50years and 62% of the respondents are married. About 80% of the respondents had formal education. It was revealed that improper garri processing is a contact source of food poison such as Lassa fever while that lack of modern technological equipment for garri processing is a major constraint in the study area. Chi square result showed a significant relationship between the awareness of lassa fever among garri processors and their age, marital status, garri processors experience and years of membership of an association. The study concludes that cassava processors did not get financial support outside their processing business coupled with the high cost of the technologies to improve on their garri processing business. The study recommends that food consumed without further processing by heating before consumption should be discarded entirely if contaminated with any secretions, excretions or nibbled at by rat.

1. S. A. Oni, Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

   Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

2. A. O. Oduwale, Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

   Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

3. D. K. Akinrinsoye, Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

   Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

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