Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of healthcare professionals at the start of an Ebola virus epidemic

Abstract

Introduction: In August 2018 the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared the 10th epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in a context of armed conflict and high population mobility. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals related to this disease.

Method: Descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted by self-administered questionnaires among a random sample of 455 healthcare professionals of the city of Butembo, eastern DRC.

Results: Healthcare professionals were mostly informed about this epidemic by the radio (72.2%). They were usually aware of the disease etiology (65.3%), contamination modes (78.2%), epidemiological surveillance objectives (89%), but they were much less familiar with its clinical outcome (37.9%) and with contact tracing (44.8%). Adequate attitudes and practices were observed in 44.3% of cases for hygiene and sanitation measures, 64.8% of cases for healthcare-associated infection prevention, and 39.7% of cases for the management of probable cases of EVD.

Conclusion: At the start of an Ebola outbreak, capacity building for epidemiological surveillance, hospital hygiene, and safety of care should be among the first urgent actions to implement.

Keywords: Ebola; Epidemic; Infection control.