ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES REGARDING EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF HARAR, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Temam Aman, Vijaibasker G*

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a disease of humans and other primates, which is caused by an RNA virus of the family Filoviridae and genus Ebolavirus. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes regarding Ebola virus disease among the residents in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. This study was carried out from March 4 to April 20, 2015. A descriptive cross sectional study design was used in this study. The respondents were interviewed on a pre-tested structured questionnaire after their verbal consent. The data was collected by direct face to face interview and the outcome variables were knowledge and attitudes regarding Ebola virus disease. The knowledge and attitudes score was classified as adequate if score was ≥ 70%, moderately adequate if score was 41- 60% and inadequate if score was < 40%. Of 269 respondents, only 67 (24.9%) had adequate knowledge, 121 (45%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 81 (30.1%) had inadequate knowledge regarding Ebola virus disease. Out of 269 respondents, 146 (54.3 %) had positive attitude and 123 (45.7 %) had negative attitude regarding Ebola virus disease. In the present study, it was found that residents in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia had unsatisfactory knowledge regarding Ebola Virus Disease. Also 123 (45.7 %) had negative attitudes regarding Ebola virus disease among the residents in kebele 18 were not satisfactory too. Hence findings of this study pinpoint the necessity of inculcation of health education programs, which will create the public to be aware against the EVD.