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

Authors: Samuel Anu Olowookere; Emmanuel Akintunde Abioye-Kuteyi; Olusegun Kayode Adepoju; Oluwaseun Taiwo Esan; Temitope Michael Adeolu; Tolulope Kola Adeoye; Adesola Adebayo Adepoju; Adedayo Titilayo Aderogba
Journal: Journal of Tropical Medicine
 (2015)

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## 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.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Ebola viral disease (EVD) is an acute febrile illness caused by the Ebola virus, a member of the family of Filoviridae. EVD is associated with a high mortality rate in humans and non-human primates since its initial recognition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976 [1, 2]. The Filoviruses are thread-like RNA viruses that cause haemorrhagic fever. The Ebola virus causes severe disease in humans with an extremely high case fatality rate ranging from 25 to 90%, depending on the viral subtype and the availability of medical care. Haemorrhagic symptoms occur in about 30–50% of described human cases [1]. Four Ebola viral subtypes (Zaire, Sudan, Ivory Coast, and Uganda) and the Marburg virus cause illness in humans, and the subtypes Zaire and Ivory Coast and the Marburg virus are known to cause illness in non-human primates. One Ebola subtype (Reston) causes illness in non-human primates but has induced only asymptomatic disease in humans [3]. The natural reservoir of the Ebola viruses remains unknown. The incubation period of Ebola virus is 2–21 days and it is transmitted majorly through direct contact with body fluid including blood, urine, excreta, vomit, saliva, sweat, mother’s breast milk, organs, body parts, secretions, and seminal fluid. A rare mode of transmission is contact with the unknown natural reservoir or infected animals. Routes of infection are oral, the conjunctivae, mucous-membrane exposure (e.g., nose and mouth), sexual intercourse, and a break in the skin, a penetrating object infected with body fluids of a patient (e.g., needles or razor blades). Infections occur when health staff or relatives are taking care of a patient without proper protection. Contact with infected corpses (human or animal) put people at high risk to become infected with EVD. Nosocomial transmissions of EVD do occur when appropriate precautions are not taken [1].The latest outbreak which affects Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria in West Africa is the worst in EVD history with 2127 reported cases out of which 1145 died by August 15, 2014 [4]. Health workers were included among the infected and the dead from EVD while caring for people infected with this highly fatal disease. EVD prevention and control in the region raises a number of challenges for healthcare workers practising in countries where health systems and infrastructures are weak; healthcare financing is poor and health insurance coverage is limited [5]. Very few studies on EVD had been conducted among health workers in Nigeria [6]. It is therefore imperative to assess the preparedness of health workers in the control and management of EVD.


## 2. Methods

The study was conducted at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in the month of July, 2014. It is a 576-bedded hospital with referrals from neighbouring states such as Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, and beyond.The study population included the clinical members of staff, namely, medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, community health workers (CHEW), medical records officer, and physiotherapists.The sample size of 352 was calculated using an appropriate statistical formula for estimating the minimum sample size in descriptive health studies[n=Z2pq/d2] [7], where 64.4% of health care workers knew that EVD had no cure [8]. A sample size of 400 was used after nonresponders being taken into consideration.The number allocated to each group of clinical staff was determined proportionately using the formulan/N×400, where n is the number of occupational groups and N is the total number of clinical staff [9].Consenting health workers completed a pretested semistructured self-administered questionnaire that assessed participants’ general knowledge, emergency preparedness, and control and management of EVD. The questionnaires were distributed consecutively to members of each occupational group during the break period. The respondents were allowed to fill the questionnaire in their spare time at their convenience. Questionnaire information was anonymised.Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from Ife Central Local Government Ethical Review Committee. Written informed consent was taken from the respondents while they were reassured of the confidentiality of the information obtained. The data collected were entered and kept in a password protected computer.The data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 16. Simple descriptive and inferential statistics were done. Knowledge score was computed for a 41-item question on knowledge of EVD. Each item was assigned “+1” for correct knowledge and “0” for incorrect knowledge. The knowledge score was graded as good or appropriate (if respondent scored ≥ 27 points) and not good or not appropriate (if score was <27 points) using the mean score as the break-off point. Test of significance was conducted using appropriate statistical methods. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to evaluate sociodemographic variables and other variables that are independently associated with good knowledge of EVD. Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and 95% CI were presented and used as measures of the strength of association. Significant level was put atp<0.05.


## 3. Results

Four hundred completed questionnaires were analysed. The mean age (SD) of the respondents was34.5±8.62 years (range 20–59 years). Most participants were medical doctors (24.6%) and nurses (52.2%). The majority were females (60.2%), were married (65.8%), and had practised <10 years (73.8%) (Table 1).Table 1
Sociodemographic characteristics of participants.
Variable
Frequency
%
Age group (years)
20–29
135
33.8
30–39
164
41
≥40
101
25.2
Sex
Male
159
39.8
Female
241
60.2
Marital status
Single
137
34.2
Married
263
65.8
Occupation
Medical doctor
98
24.6
Nurse
209
52.2
Pharmacist
25
6.3
Medical laboratory technologist
23
5.8
Community health officers
19
4.7
Medical records officer
17
4.2
Physiotherapist
9
2.2
Duration of employment (years)
<10
295
73.8
≥10
105
26.2The majority 342 (85.5%) were aware of the on-going EVD outbreak in the West African subregion. Colleagues (40%) and radio (37.2%) were their major sources of information (Table2).Table 2
EVD awareness and source of information on the outbreak.
Variable
Frequency
%
Aware of EVD epidemic in West Africa
Yes
342
85.5
No
58
14.5
∗Source of information
Colleagues
160
40.0
Radio
149
37.2
Internet
114
28.4
Television
93
23.3
Newspapers
92
23.1
Notice boards/pamphlets
44
10.9
∗Multiple responses.Only 42.3% had good knowledge of EVD (Figure1). Most knew that EVD is a viral infection (93.2%) that is deadly (91.5%). Also, majority knew that EVD can be transmitted from person to person (87.8%) and animal to person (86.2%) while only 46.8% knew it can be transmitted from inanimate objects to persons (Table 3).Table 3
EVD knowledge of clinical variables.
Variable
Frequency
%
Ebola fever is a viral disease
Yes
373
93.2
No
27
6.8
Incubation period last from 2 to 21 days
Yes
247
61.8
No
153
38.2
The reservoir is usually bats
Yes
270
67.5
No
130
32.5
Infection with the organism is usually deadly
Yes
366
91.5
No
34
8.5
Ebola can be transmitted from person to person
Yes
351
87.8
No
49
12.2
Ebola can be transmitted from animal to person
Yes
345
86.2
No
55
13.8
Ebola can be transmitted from inanimate objects to person
Yes
187
46.8
No
213
53.2Figure 1
Graded score on EVD knowledge.Although the majority of participants knew that EVD is transmissible through body fluids, below half knew that the causative agent penetrates broken skin (Table4).Table 4
Knowledge of EVD mode of transmission.
Variable
Frequency
%
Ebola can be transmitted through saliva
Yes
274
68.5
No
126
31.5
Ebola can be transmitted through blood
Yes
331
82.8
No
69
17.2
Ebola can be transmitted through seminal/vagina fluid
Yes
222
55.5
No
178
44.5
Causative agent penetrates broken skin
Yes
186
46.5
No
214
53.5
Bodies of dead cases constitute a potential hazard
Yes
300
75
No
100
25
Cases cease to be infectious after the acute phase of the disease
Yes
107
26.8
No
293
73.2Most health workers knew high grade fever (78.2%) and unexplained bleeding (73.4%) as common presentation in EVD patients while fewer health workers knew that gastrointestinal symptoms and shock (27%) could occur in these patients (Table5).Table 5
Knowledge of EVD clinical presentation.
EVD cases are characterized by fever >38°C
Yes
313
78.2
No
87
21.8
Unexplained bleeding could be diagnostic
Yes
294
73.4
No
106
26.6
Vomiting, diarrhoea, and shock are rarely observed in hospitalized patients
Yes
292
73.0
No
108
27.0
Fever refractory to treatment and unexplained mucosal bleeding is a sign
Yes
296
74.0
No
104
26.0Although majority of participants knew some treatment and prevention of EVD, about three-quarter did not know that EVD has no vaccine presently (Table6). Most respondents were not aware of the process for EVD reporting (Table 7). Most respondents had poor risk perception and negative attitude to EVD diagnosis, management, and prevention. About 11% felt that the infection control policy of the hospital is adequate to protect health workers against EVD (Table 8).Table 6
EVD knowledge of treatment and prevention.
Variable
Frequency
%
∗Drug use for treatment
Antipyretics
343
85.8
IV fluids
339
84.8
Corticosteroids
212
53.0
Uses of vaccine protect from EVD infection
Yes
292
73.0
No
108
27.0
Environmental sanitation protects from infection
Yes
350
87.5
No
50
12.5
Safe sex protects from infection
Yes
248
62.0
No
152
38.0
Barrier nursing protects from infection
Yes
333
83.2
No
67
16.8
Cases can be confirmed without laboratory assistance
Yes
125
31.2
No
275
68.8
∗Multiple responses.Table 7
Knowledge of EVD reporting.
Variable
Frequency
%
Critical number of cases must occur before reporting
True
174
43.5
False
150
37.5
Not sure
76
19.0
Suspected cases qualify for reporting
True
322
80.5
False
20
5.0
Not sure
58
14.5
Cases should be reported weekly for administrative efficiency
True
227
56.8
False
67
16.8
Not sure
106
26.4
∗Tertiary health facilities should notify directly
Federal ministry of health
290
72.5
State ministry of health
211
52.8
Local ministry of health
208
52.0
∗Multiple responses.Table 8
Risk perception and attitude to EVD.
Variable
Frequency
%
Consider self to be at risk
Agree
156
39.0
Disagree
173
42.8
Undecided
71
18.2
Health workers are prone to having EVD
Agree
303
75.8
Disagree
51
12.7
Undecided
46
11.5
It is possible to prevent EVD spread
Agree
318
79.5
Disagree
35
8.7
Undecided
47
11.8
There is no risk in living with EVD patient
Agree
20
5.0
Disagree
332
83.0
Undecided
48
12.0
Infection control policy of the hospital is inadequate
Agree
109
27.3
Disagree
42
10.5
Undecided
249
62.2Medical doctors (54.1%) and nurses (42.6%) had appropriate knowledge compared to other health workers and this association was statistically significant (Table9).Table 9
Association between respondents’ characteristics and knowledge of EVD.
Variable
Knowledge
χ
2
p value
Appropriate
Not appropriate
Age (years)
20–29
58 (43.0)
77 (57.0)
5.720
0.057
30–39
78 (47.6)
86 (52.4)
≥40
33 (32.7)
68 (67.3)
Sex
Male
70 (44.0)
89 (56.0)
0.341
0.559
Female
99 (41.1)
142 (58.9)
Marital status
Currently married
111 (42.2)
152 (57.8)
0.001
0.980
Not currently married
58 (42.3)
79 (57.7)
Occupation
Medical doctor
53 (54.1)
45 (45.9)
12.291
0.002
Nurse
89 (42.6)
120 (57.4)
Other health workers
27 (29.0)
66 (71.0)
Duration of employment (years)
<10
132 (44.7)
163 (55.3)
2.869
0.090
≥10
37 (35.2)
68 (64.8)The only predictor of good/appropriate knowledge was participants’ occupation (Table10).Table 10
Binary logistic regression of respondents’ characteristics and EVD knowledge.
Variable
AOR
95% CI
p value
Occupation
Medical doctor
2.879
1.582–5.239
0.001
Nurse
1.813
1.072–3.065
0.026
Other health workers (ref.)
1


## 4. Discussion

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of health workers in a tertiary hospital in the south-western part of Nigeria towards EVD. The health workers that participated included medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, medical record officers, physiotherapists, and community health workers. All these health workers come into contact with patients or their body fluids in the work place. Hence this baseline study determines their preparedness towards EVD. Most participants were young, were females, were married, and had practised less than 10 years. This implies that the participants still had more years to work and hence the necessity to remain healthy in order to perform their health care duties. Also, these health workers could be a source of spread of this life threatening infection to coworkers, their families, and community.Although most respondents were aware of the EVD epidemic in the West African subregion, some were not aware. This is not acceptable as every health worker should be aware to ensure necessary precautions are taken to reduce the ongoing epidemic and control it whenever such spreads to the facility. This will ensure early diagnosis, management, control, and reporting of such cases to appropriate authority whenever they occur. Colleagues and radio were identified by the participants as their major sources of information. This shows the importance of peers and media in information management. Studies in Nigeria and elsewhere had reported the radio as a valid means of spreading current information to hospital workers as well as the general populace [8, 9].Over half of the respondents had poor knowledge of EVD. This is probably because as at the time this study commenced, no case was reported in Nigeria. EVD was seen by most respondents as too far away to be a problem. However, this perception about a dangerous infectious disease such as EVD could result in uncontrollable epidemics; hence attitudinal change will be necessary if this must be averted. The World Health Organization had reported several cases of EVD outside the epidemic zone with Nigeria reporting its first case on July 20, 2014 [10]. This study reported that most respondents knew that EVD is caused by a deadly virus while they did not know it can penetrate broken skin. Also, most respondents did not know that EVD has no vaccine presently and were not aware of the process for EVD reporting. This shows the gap in knowledge that must be filled urgently.Most participants felt that the infection control policy of the hospital was inadequate to protect health workers against EVD. This implies that the hospital authorities must do all that is required to develop a policy targeting EVD.Occupation was found to be the only predictor of EVD knowledge with medical doctors and nurses having better knowledge more than other health workers. This reflects the training undergone by these groups of workers and the need to strengthen the capacity of other health workers with adequate knowledge of preventing, diagnosing, and managing EVD cases. All health workers need continuous education on EVD. Also, the training should focus on the concept of universal precautions, which must be observed by every health care worker while interacting with every patient [11].This baseline study is limited by its cross-sectional design and the fact that some respondents could have given socially acceptable answers to some questions. However, this study will serve as a guide for planning and implementing interventions targeted at controlling possible epidemics in the study area.


## 5. Conclusion

In conclusion, most health workers had inappropriate knowledge about EVD; hence continuous medical education focusing on the concept of universal precautions should target all health workers. Also, an infection control policy targeting EVD is urgently required and emergency preparedness towards possible EVD epidemic is necessary.



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