Knowledge of Ebola virus disease: An evaluation of university students and staff regarding the current Ebola issue around the globe

Abstract

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is at the moment a global pandemic disease. The importance of public awareness and alertness toward the disease cannot be underestimated since it is an important step to prevent unnecessary anxiety, fear, as well as an excessive reaction that accompany such anxiety. The main objective of this study is to assess the current level of knowledge and perception of students and staff at Universiti Sains Malaysia toward EVD. Method: A cross sectional survey method was used, and a self-administered questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. Section A with 6 questions pertaining to demographic data of respondents', Section B had 20 questions pertaining to respondents knowledge of cause, symptoms, transmission, prevention, and current affairs about EVD. Section C had 12 questions pertaining to respondents' perception toward EVD. Respondents in this study included both students and staff. Results: From the 520 questionnaire (400 among students and 120 among staff) distributed, only 458 were retrieved (380 from students and 78 from staff). Results showed that majority of the students were female (163; 66.0% for undergraduates, 71; 53.4% for postgraduate and 50; 64.1% for staff). The majority of the students first learned about EVD from the internet (193, 80.4%; 102, 81.0%; and 43, 58.9%, respectively, for undergraduate, postgraduate, and staff). This study found that the current level of knowledge about EVD among respondents is low (median knowledge score P = 0.002). In addition, staff respondents from the university hospital (clinic) were found to possess more knowledge than other category of staff (median score = 61.5%, P = 0.002). Furthermore, sciences based students were found to have more knowledge than arts and social sciences based students (median score = 46.2%, P < 0.0001). Most of the respondents; 136 (56.7%), 52 (41.3%), and 30 (41.1%), respectively, of undergraduates, postgraduates, and staff have a misconception that there are foods that can effectively cure or prevent EVD. The internet was found to be the most commonly acceptable method for provision of education about EVD among undergraduate, 64 (27.7%) and postgraduate students, 32 (26.2%). A combination of internet, TV shows and awareness campaign was found to be the most acceptable way to provide EVD education among staff (26, 41.9%). Conclusion: It was concluded that the current level of knowledge among students and staff regarding EVD is low and there is a need to raise awareness about EVD among the university population.