Lassa fever in Bauchi State, Nigeria: communication channels and health-seeking behavior.

Objectives: In Nigeria, despite the devastating effects of Lassa fever (LF), public health interventions have largely neglected timely health-seeking behavior (HSB) for LF symptoms. We, therefore, examined communication channels as a strategy associated with timely HSB in communities severely affected by LF in Bauchi State.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional design using a multi-stage sampling technique to select 1018 respondents aged 18 years and older. A structured questionnaire was used to conduct the interviews. Multivariate binary logistics regression was used to examine the statistical relationships between HSB and associated factors at 5% level of significance.

Results: Findings revealed that 51.15% of the respondents sought timely care from health facilities, whereas 41.33% sought timely care from traditional healers or use home remedies for LF symptoms. Family and friends, community volunteers, and perception of illness were significantly associated with timely care-seeking from health facilities while primary education, community volunteers, and drug availability were significantly associated with timely care-seeking from traditional healers or used home remedies for LF symptoms. Perceived stigma is likely to reduce timely care-seeking from health facilities but likely to increase timely care-seeking from traditional healers or used home remedies for LF symptoms.

Conclusions: Most respondents still have the tendency to seek timely care from traditional healers or use home remedies in place of health facilities on LF symptoms. Communication channels and the adoption of the health belief model are essential strategic tools for promoting timely HSB from health facilities and identifying the barriers that hinder it.