KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND MISCONCEPTIONS OF EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE AMONG AVIATION WORKERS AT MURTALA MUHAMMED AIRPORT, LAGOS

Abstract

Ebola Virus Disease, also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is a severe, often fatal illness in human. It is also a life threatening viral infection with a case fatality rate varying from 25% to 90%. The incubation period from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms is 2 to 21 days. Much of studies conducted on EVD are more premised on the transmission and prevention rather than people’s perception and misconception of the virus. This study was therefore designed to access the knowledge, perception and misconception of EVD among Aviation Workers in Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. This was a cross sectional study using a three stage sampling technique to select 422 respondents from four departments selected at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. A validated semi structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on the knowledge, perception and misconceptions of EVD. Knowledge of EVD was accessed using a 22 point scale and knowledge scores were categorized as ≤12 poor; ≥13-17 fair and ≥18-22 good. Perception was accessed using a 9 point scale and perception scores were categorized as ≤5 and ≥6-9 as high and low perception respectively. Misconceptions on EVD were categorized as 1-4 as low and 5-7 as high misconception respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-test and Chi-square. Age of respondents was 36.5±8.6 years, 56.2% males and 43.8% females. Majority 87.9% had completed tertiary education. About one-third 30.6% of the respondents work at the Federal Airport Authority Nigeria, 23.5% at Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, 22.5% at Port Health Authority and 23.5% at Nigerian Immigration Service. Many 71.3% of the respondents had spent less than 7 years on the job. Most of the respondents 79.4% were in the senior staff category, 20.6% were junior staffs and most 73.7% have had direct contact with travellers. Many 62.6% have heard about EVD before the outbreak in Nigeria but 37.4% were not aware of it. Knowledge score was 14.7±2.40 with 10.7% as good, 73.5% as fair and 15.9% as poor knowledge respectively. The major source of information on EVD was TV and radio 90.5%. Mean perception score was 6.3±1.4 with 72.5% having positive perception and 27.5% having negative perception. Many of the respondents 66.8% disagreed while slightly less than one third 30.8% agreed that frequent hand wash can prevent contacting Ebola. Misconception score was 4.77± 1.38 and

misconceptions reported on EVD included, drinking and bathing with salt water 15.1%. In addition, 10.7% reported that EVD is an incurable and deadly disease. Findings suggest the need for continuous education on knowledge, perception and misconceptions of Ebola virus disease. There is also need for relentless effort in educating the public on the etiology of the deadly disease by use of behavioral change communication materials such as behavioral change communication materials, social media, internet and mobile phones to increase enlightenments about the disease.