Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Leslie Hussey

Abstract

AbstractLassa fever, a viral disease, was first isolated in the late 1960s and affects 300,000 to 500,000 people, causing 5,000 to 10,000 fatalities annually across West Africa. Although there are studies on the causes and prevalence of Lassa fever, there is a paucity of studies regarding the quality of life (QoL) and lived experiences of survivors. The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by Leininger’s culture care theory, was to describe the QoL and meanings of the lived experiences of Lassa fever survivors in the Southsouth region of Nigeria. Fifteen survivors of Lassa disease were interviewed. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive method with the aid of the software program, NVivo (Version 12), which revealed seven categories and five themes. The five themes were: culture care and therapeutic communication, emotional support, physical symptoms, social activities, and work productivity. The participants’ quotations were presented in their natural forms, with no attempt to correct their positions, to retain the unique original expressions. The findings provide an understanding of the meanings of these experiences necessary for healthcare providers to be informed and provide quality care that would be congruent with survivors’ beliefs, values, needs, and satisfaction. Future study should follow these Lassa fever survivors over time to examine changes in their experiences as they progress with their follow-up treatments. Findings are useful for healthcare providers, especially nursing staff from the Southsouth region of Nigeria because they contribute to the understanding of the QoL, healthcare needs, and practices of Lassa fever survivors, which should lead to positive social change.

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