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Background:   Lassa fever is associated with high morbidity and mortality.Objectives:   This study aimed to determine the knowledge and preventive measures against Lassa fever among heads of households in Abakaliki metropolis, Southeast Nigeria.Methods:   This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A four-stage sampling design was used to select 420 respondents from Abakaliki metropolis. A good knowledge of Lassa fever was determined by the proportion of respondents scoring ⩾50% in 15 variables. Good preventive practices against Lassa fever were determined by the proportion of respondents obtaining a score of ⩾50% in 12 variables.Results:   The mean age of respondents was 34.1±9.4 years, and the majority (56.5%) were males. Major sources of information included television (66.4%) and radio (64.3%). A minority (11.0%) consume rats at present, while 86.7% knew that rats could transmit Lassa fever to humans. The majority (60.0%) had a good knowledge of Lassa fever, while 66.4% demonstrated good preventive practices. A predictor of good knowledge included being a consumer of rats, (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.9). Predictors of good preventive practices included being in a low socio-economic class (AOR=2.1; 95% CI 1.3–3.6) and having a good knowledge of Lassa fever (AOR=10.2; 95% CI: 6.2–10.6).Conclusions:   The majority of respondents had a good knowledge of Lassa fever and demonstrated good preventive practices against it. A good knowledge of Lassa fever was associated with good preventive practices. There is need for a good understanding of Lassa fever among the population, as this will improve preventive practices. Health workers have an important role to play in disseminating information concerning Lassa fever.

Knowledge and preventive practices against Lassa fever among heads of households in Abakaliki metropolis, Southeast Nigeria: A cross-sectional study