Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Health Workers in a Tertiary Hospital in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, towards Ebola Viral Disease

Abstract

Background. Health workers are more prone to Ebola viral disease (EVD) than the general population. This study assessed the preparedness of health workers in the control and management of EVD. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study. Consenting 400 health workers completed a semistructured questionnaire that assessed participants' general knowledge, emergency preparedness, and control and management of EVD. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. The mean age (SD) was 34.5 ± 8.62 years ranging from 20 to 59 years. Most participants were medical doctors (24.6%) and nurses (52.2%). The majority had practised <10 years (73.8%) and were aware of the EVD outbreak in the West African subregion (85.5%). Colleagues (40%) and radio (37.2%) were their major sources of information. Only 42% had good knowledge while 27% knew that there was no vaccine presently to prevent EVD. About one-quarter (24.2%) had low risk perception. The majority (89%) felt the hospital infection control policy was inadequate to protect against EVD. The only predictor of good knowledge was participants' occupation. Conclusion. There is knowledge gap and poor infection control preparedness among respondents. Thus, knowledge and practices of health workers towards EVD need improvement.

Predictors of knowledge regarding Ebola virus disease among medical and nursing students in a Nigerian teaching hospital

“…11,15,[18][19][20] This may not come as a surprise considering the media attention and resulting global panic the 2014 Ebola outbreak has incited. We realized however that this awareness did not necessarily translate to good knowledge as despite the high level of awareness in this study, less than half (40.9%) had good knowledge.…”

“…11,18,20 Similarly, a majority were able to identify the country's most affected by the 2014 EVD outbreak, the most popular choice was Liberia (84.2%) which might not come as a surprise considering the fact that the index case in Nigeria was a Liberian immigrant. 21 Doctors in England however had poor knowledge concerning this aspect as there was only 46% knowledge of the countries affected.…”

“…7 Fever and bleeding were popular signs and symptoms among respondents, this correlates with a study in Nigeria. 11 There were split opinions however on which clinical feature occurred more frequently as almost half of respondents thought that bleeding was the most common sign. This was different from another study in Nigeria.…”

“…11,15,21 A vaccine is currently not publicly available for the Ebola virus however it is in the trial phase and shows great potential for success. 9 Vaccination is probably one of the most efficient ways of preventing diseases and knowledge of this should be at the fingertips of our future HCW.…”

“…9 There is currently poor knowledge of key features of the EVD among HCW whom are concurrently more at risk of infection and death from the virus compared to the general public. [10][11][12] HCW have an EVD incidence rate of 104.5 per 10,000 compared to 3.3 per 10,000 for non-HCW (RR=42.2; 95% CI= 36.0-49.5). 13,14 Similarly reports from Sierra Leone have also shown a 103-fold higher incidence rate infection in HCW compared to the general public with doctors and nurses making up two thirds of the high risk group.…”