title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Samuel Anu
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Olowookere
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Emmanuel Akintunde
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Abioye-Kuteyi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusegun Kayode
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Adepoju
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oluwaseun Taiwo
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Esan
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Temitope Michael
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Adeolu
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Tolulope Kola
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Adeoye
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adesola Adebayo
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adepoju
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adedayo Titilayo
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Aderogba