Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices on prevention of ebola outbreak among International Health Sciences University students, Kampala Uganda.

Abstract

Ebola is a disease of humans and extra primates caused by Ebola viruses. In case of an outbreak, over thousands can be affected economically, socially, politically and different families. This study was carried out to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of International Health Sciences University (IHSU) students on prevention of Ebola outbreak. The study design was a descriptive cross sectional study, used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices on prevention of Ebola outbreak among IHSU students. The study measured knowledge, attitude and practices on prevention of Ebola outbreak among IHSU students among students by use of questionnaire. In this study, 300 students were interviewed. The results showed 70.0% students had heard about Ebola outbreak in Uganda, however others could not specify the exact year of the Ebola outbreak, 30.0% had not heard about Ebola outbreak. Majority of the participants 47.7% replied as a big risk, 36.3% replied as a small risk and finally 16.0% did not know what to reply in accordance with how the different respondents judged their risks towards developing EVD. In conclusion, the knowledge of students about Ebola Viral Disease at International Health Science University is still low. The study recommends that continuous sensitisation should be conducted to remind and reduce the level of ignorance health students have towards EVD. Address misconceptions about the disease to the students.