400-level Public Health students of Achievers University successfully conducted a Community Health Outreach on Lassa Fever Prevention in Idasen, Owo, Ondo State from 19th February to 5th March 2025. This initiative, which is a core component of their fieldwork exercise, signposted the University’s commitment to bridging learning with community impact and equipping students with hands-on experience in public health interventions while promoting community well-being.
To ensure the success of the intervention, the students collaborated key stakeholders, including the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo Community Outreach Team, the Primary Health Center (PHC) in Idasen and the Palace of the Alale of Ilale, Idasen, His Royal Highness, Oba Kokumo Oluwabamise where they received the community’s approval and support. The PHC Coordinator, Dr. Buhari, provided the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, further strengthening the initiative’s outreach.
The fieldwork exercise, conducted at the Palace of Alale of Ilale, featured an interactive health education session, emphasizing Lassa fever symptoms, transmission, and prevention strategies. Other key activities included the distribution of IEC materials (posters, brochures, and flyers) to enhance awareness, blood pressure screenings conducted by students and the FMC Community Outreach Team, pre- and post-tests to evaluate knowledge retention among community members, free medical consultations and treatment courtesy of the FMC outreach team, and souvenir distribution to encourage participation and sustained engagement.
The outreach recorded massive community participation, with positive feedback from both community leaders and health professionals. In attendance were Achievers University Public Health faculty members, including Dr. Akinola (HOD), Dr. Ebun, Dr. Oluyide, and Miss Olowookere, who provided professional guidance to the students.
Following the fieldwork exercise, students presented their findings in a formal defence on March 12, 2025. According to the Head of the Department, Dr Akinola, the data collected is currently undergoing analysis and the department will advise policymakers and plan future health interventions based on the findings from the study. Achievers University remains committed to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application, equipping students with practical experience in public health engagement while fostering positive change in the host community and environs.
