Awareness of Leptospirosis Among Flood-Affected Communities in Bayelsa State

Leptospirosis is a waterborne zoonotic disease exacerbated by flooding, and Nigeria's South South region faces recurrent annual floods. This study assessed leptospirosis awareness among flood-affected communities in Bayelsa State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 180 residents of four communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area following the 2022 flood season. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge of leptospirosis sources, transmission routes, symptoms, and preventive measures. Focus group discussions were also held with community health volunteers. Results showed that only 22% of respondents had heard of leptospirosis, and awareness of rodent urine as a primary transmission vehicle was extremely low. Exposure behaviors including wading through floodwater, open defecation near water bodies, and keeping domestic animals near homes were widely reported. A significant association was found between educational level and awareness of leptospirosis. The study concludes that low disease awareness in a high-risk flood environment substantially increases community vulnerability to leptospirosis outbreaks. Targeted public health campaigns should be deployed before and during flood seasons, with special emphasis on personal protective behaviors and early symptom recognition. Collaboration between veterinary and human health authorities is recommended to build an effective One Health surveillance response. Keywords: leptospirosis, flooding, zoonosis, Bayelsa State, community awareness