Household rat infestation and methods of its control in a lassa fever endemic community in Southeast Nigeria

Background and Objectives: High rat burden and control methods may influence Lassa virus transmission in endemic communities. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of household rat infestation and its control methods in a Lassa fever endemic region, Southeast, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study participants were caregivers who sought care in a tertiary health institution in Abakiliki (a Lassa fever endemic community) in Southeast, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding the presence of rats in homes and methods of its control. The analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Multivariate Binary Logistic Regression was used to assess the predictors of the presence of rats in homes. The level of statistical significance was set at P