A Multi-Site Knowledge Attitude and Practice Survey of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThe 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was characterised by fear, misconceptions and irrational behaviours. We conducted a knowledge attitude and practice survey of EVD in Nigeria to inform implementation of effective control measures.MethodsBetween July 30th and September 30th 2014, we undertook a cross sectional study on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) among adults of the general population and healthcare workers (HCW) in three states of Nigeria, namely Bayelsa, Cross River and Kano states. Demographic information and data on KAP were obtained using a self-administered standardized questionnaire. The percentage KAP scores were categorised as good and poor. Independent predictors of good knowledge of EVD were ascertained using a binary logistic regression model.ResultsOut of 1035 study participants with median age of 32 years, 648 (62.6%) were males, 846 (81.7%) had tertiary education and 441 (42.6%) were HCW. There were 218, 239 and 578 respondents from Bayelsa, Cross River and Kano states respectively. The overall median percentage KAP scores and interquartile ranges (IQR) were 79.46% (15.07%), 95.0% (33.33%) and 49.95% (37.50%) respectively. Out of the 1035 respondents, 470 (45.4%), 544(52.56%) and 252 (24.35%) had good KAP of EVD defined using 80%, 90% and 70% score cut-offs respectively. Independent predictors of good knowledge of EVD were being a HCW (Odds Ratio-OR-2.89, 95% Confidence interval-CI of 1.41–5.90), reporting ‘moderate to high fear of EVD’ (OR-2.15, 95% CI-(1.47–3.13) and ‘willingness to modify habit’ (OR-1.68, 95% CI-1.23–2.30).ConclusionOur results reveal suboptimal EVD-related knowledge, attitude and practice among adults in Nigeria. To effectively control future outbreaks of EVD in Nigeria, there is a need to implement public sensitization programmes that improve understanding of EVD and address EVD-related myths and misconceptions, especially among the general population.

Public acceptance of a hypothetical Ebola virus vaccine in Aceh, Indonesia: A hospital-based survey

“…The level of public knowledge regarding to EVD in this study is lower compared to other studies in the countries where the EVD epidemic took places such as in Nigeria [15,16] and in Liberia [17]. The studies in Nigeria reported that 43.1% and 45.4% of the participants had satisfactory knowledge of EVD transmission and preventive measures [15].…”

“…Previous study also found that education level was associated with a better knowledge regarding to EVD [15]. However, another study found that education was not associated with knowledge regarding to EVD [16]. Taking together, it seems that education is a cofounding factor for knowledge regarding to EVD.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Ebola Virus Disease at the End of a National Epidemic — Guinea, August 2015

“…Ebola-related KAP assessments were conducted in Sierra Leone ( 4 ), Liberia ( 5 ), Nigeria ( 6 ), and in one region in Guinea ( 7 ) during Ebola epidemics in 2014–2015. To learn more about Ebola-related KAP in Guinea as the nation’s epidemic waned following more than a year of Ebola education and prevention activities, several organizations conducted an Ebola KAP assessment across all administrative regions in August 2015.…”

Knowledge and attitudes of Ebola among the general public of Trinidad and Tobago during the 2014-15 West Africa outbreak

“…Education has been found to influence people's knowledge about EVD in Nigeria (9). In Uganda being educated beyond primary level was a significant predictor of awareness towards EVD and Marburg (10).…”