To Assess the Knowledge of Ebola Virus Disease among Staff Nurses and Nursing Students in selected Hospital and College, Jalandhar, Punjab.

 

M. Maheswary

HOD of Child Health Nursing, Army College of Nursing, Jalandhar Cantt

*Corresponding Author Email: malusiva@yahoo.co.in

 

ABSTRACT:

“One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognise a problem before it becomes an emergency.”

Ebola virus also called Ebola hemorrhagic fever is rare but fatal illness. Ebola is named after the Ebola River in Zaire. It first emerged in Sudan and Zaire. These viruses are located in sun- Saharan Africa. This spreads through human to human transmission. It is transmitted to human population from wild animals like fruit bats, chimpanzees, monkeys. Often blood or body fluids of infected animals contains this virus and contact with it makes human vulnerable to Ebola virus disease (EVD). No vaccine as such available to combat this deadly disease. However, early detection of case and symptomatic treatment aid in fast recovery.1 Therefore, a descriptive study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of registered nurse and nursing students. Purposive sampling technique used to select the sample. The sample size was 100. A structured questionnaire constructed comprised of two parts: part 1 consist of six demographic variables and part 2 included total 14 questions related to EBOLA virus disease. The results of study revealed that 61% of samples had average knowledge about Ebola followed by 31% had poor knowledge and only 2% had good knowledge.

 

KEYWORDS: Ebola virus, knowledge, assessment, staff nurses and nursing students

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Ebola virus largest outbreak was recorded in year since its discovery (1976) in year 2014-2016 in West Africa. Recent outbreak was seen in 2018-19 in eastern DRC. Infected animals transmit this virus to humans who have close contact with their secretions, blood and other bodily fluids and human to human transmission happens with direct contact (body fluids). Its manifests as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, lethargy accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes and in severe cases kidney and liver gat damaged and bleeding occurs.2

 

This viral disease has caused plethora of deaths globally. Lack of awareness and knowledge among health care workers has made them carrier of it and toll of death hiked. Therefore, researcher took initiative to assess the knowledge of nursing staff and students to trigger their mind to know about EVD.1

 

OBJECTIVES:

·       To assess the level of knowledge on Ebola virus disease among staff nurses and nursing students.

·       To find out association between level of knowledge with selected demographic variables among staff nurse and nursing students.

 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

Research Approach:

Pre-experimental research approach was adopted in this study.

 

Research Design and Setting:

Descriptive research design was used. This study was conducted in Military Hospital Jalandhar Cantt and Army College of Nursing.

 

Population:

Nursing officers who are working at Military Hospital and Nursing students of Army College of Nursing acted as target population.

 

Sampling Technique and Sample Size:

Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used for 100 sample size.

 

Ethical Consideration:

Formal permission was obtained from Principal Matron of MH and Principal of Army College of Nursing, Jalandhar. The participants of the study were 34 Nursing Officers and 66 Nursing Students.

 

Tool Description:

Tool has two sections

Section-A:

Socio-Demographic variables: Age, Education, Sex, Clinical experience, ward specific experience, additional information related to Ebola.

Section-B:

Total 14 questions related to EVD prepared to assess the level of knowledge.

 

Evaluation Criteria:

0-5= Poor

6-10= Average

11-14= Good

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

SECTION A: Percent distribution of demographic variables:

In the study maximum samples (69%) were between 21 to 25 age group followed by 16% and 11% falls in age group 26 to 30 and 31 to 35 respectively. Further, 32% of nursing officers {B.sc. (N)} and 66% of Nursing Students was given tool to assess their knowledge. According to experience, majority (45%) had less than 1 year experience, 28% were having 2-3 years experience and 18% had more than 5 years experience. In addition, 89% had no previous knowledge regarding EVD.

 

SECTION B: Assessment of level of knowledge:

Out of 100 samples, 67 participants had average knowledge about Ebola Virus Disease whereas 31 had no knowledge about this and only 2 were having good knowledge related to EVD.

 

This gives the impression that knowledge regarding EVD is insufficient among student nurses of ACN and Nursing officers at MH.

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of subjects according socio-demographic variables

S.no

Demographic variables

N

%

1.

Age (in years)

a)      21-25

b)     26-30

c)      31-35

d)     36 and above

 

69

16

11

04

 

69

16

11

04

2.

Education

a)      GNM

b)     Bsc Nursing

c)      PB Bsc Nursing

d)     Student

 

01

32

01

66

 

01

32

01

66

3.

Sex

a)      Male

b)     Female

 

0

100

 

0

100

4.

Clinical Experience

a)      0-1year

b)     2-3years

c)      4-5years

d)     5 above

 

45

28

09

18

 

45

28

09

18

5.

Additional Information

a)      Yes

b)     No

 

11

89

 

11

89

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

·       An experimental study could be undertaken with a control group.

·       The protocol could be carried out to find out effectiveness in terms of knowledge retention.

·       A comparative study between the institutional practices and community settings could be done.

 

CONCLUSION:

The rise in infectious outbreak of Ebola Virus in recent years has revealed limitation in public health systems, international collaboration, and prophylactic solution.3 The recent aftermath and response to these epidemics are strong indicators of what to expect, which can be used to make changes for inevitable future Ebola outbreaks. As the study shows there is inadequate knowledge on this dreadful disease and in mind on the risk for health workers during care. There is a need to impart education to the staff nurses as well as Nursing students which will help to promote safe practice and prevent catching infection.

 

REFERENCES:

1.      https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease

2.      https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html

3.      www.orfonline.org/research/the fight-againstinfectiousdiseasesfor publichealth

 

 

Received on 20.01.2020         Modified on 18.02.2020

Accepted on 11.03.2020      ©A&V Publications All right reserved

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2020; 10(2):183-184.

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2020.00039.7