Identifying the Predisposing Factors and Socioeconomic Impacts of Meningitis: Nigeria Example

Meningitis is an epidemic prone worldwide disease with severe consequences on lives, functionality and economic state of affected individuals, communities, nations and world at large. While Meningitis outbreaks have regressed in other regions, Sub Saharan Africa still battles with the disease. Nigeria is credited with a long history of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) epidemics with the worst occurring in 1996 with 11,717 deaths out of 109,580 recorded cases. Despite the seasonality and scope of the disease, (Meningitis belt), severe mortalities and morbidities trail its occurrence. The dearth of scholarly articles in this area of study notwithstanding the magnitude of the problem, is also worrisome. This study aimed at identifying the predisposing factors and socio-economic impacts of Meningitis in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. It made use of semi structured questionnaire in conjunction with in depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Data was collected from 80 participants (53 for quantitative and 27 for qualitative), cutting across experts on meningitis at the three levels of Nigerian government, as well as non-experts at the community level. Results: The study revealed that the four (4) most important predisposing factors of Meningitis include Weather (+ Heat) (22.0%), overcrowding (21.2%), poor sanitary condition (16.8), and poverty (12.3). Also, four (4) most important socio-economic impacts identified were: Loss of lives (Mortality) (21.6%), Economic burden (17.5%), Permanent disability (Morbidity) (12.9%); and Impoverishment and Loss of productivity (each 12.4%). Morbidity and Mortality yielded 34.5%. Conclusion: Climatic conditions and socioeconomic factors were essentially found to be the predisposing factors of Meningitis, which leave behind severe negative socioeconomic impacts, especially morbidity and mortality. There was good understanding of these predisposing factors and socioeconomic impacts across board, as well as community levels of FCT, Nigeria.