Hemorrhagic fevers, such as Lassa fever, Ebola, and Dengue fever, are highly infectious diseases with significant morbidity and mortality rates. These diseases pose a serious threat to public health, particularly in regions like Nigeria, where periodic outbreaks of Lassa fever have been reported (World Health Organization [WHO], 2024). Effective preparedness and response strategies are essential in controlling the spread of these diseases, with nurses playing a critical role in early detection, patient management, and infection control (Brown et al., 2023).
Ondo State Specialist Hospital has been at the forefront of managing hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, particularly Lassa fever, which is endemic in the region. Nurses are often the first point of contact for infected patients, making their level of preparedness and response strategies crucial to mitigating disease transmission. However, studies indicate that gaps in knowledge, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and poor adherence to infection control protocols can compromise outbreak response (Williams & Taylor, 2024).
Despite various training programs and guidelines provided by health organizations, many nurses still struggle with effective outbreak management due to logistical constraints and fear of infection (Smith et al., 2023). This study seeks to appraise the level of preparedness and response of nurses at Ondo State Specialist Hospital in handling hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, identifying challenges and recommending strategies for improvement.
The high fatality rate associated with hemorrhagic fevers necessitates a well-structured emergency response by healthcare workers, particularly nurses. While protocols for hemorrhagic fever management exist, their effective implementation depends on nurses' knowledge, training, and access to adequate protective measures (Johnson & Carter, 2024). In previous outbreaks, healthcare professionals have been disproportionately affected due to lapses in infection control measures (Gonzalez et al., 2023).
At Ondo State Specialist Hospital, nurses are expected to be adequately trained and equipped for hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. However, the extent of their preparedness and response effectiveness has not been systematically evaluated. This study aims to assess nurses’ readiness, identify gaps in response strategies, and propose recommendations to enhance outbreak preparedness.
This study focuses on nurses at Ondo State Specialist Hospital involved in the management of hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. It does not include other healthcare workers or assess long-term patient outcomes. Limitations may include variations in outbreak experiences among nurses and self-reported biases in preparedness assessment.
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