Influence of Ebola Virus Surveillance Campaigns on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Residents in South East, Nigeria

  • Andrew Chiahalam Apeh Enugu State University of Science and Technology
  • Paul Martin Obayi Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu
  • Chima Alexander Onyebuchi Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu

Abstract

This study sought to examine the influence of Ebola virus surveillance campaigns on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Residents of South East, Nigeria. The study was anchored on health belief model (HBM) which indicates how people respond to health related messages, especially when they know they are susceptible to the disease. Explanatory mixed method research design was adopted for the study, with survey used for the quantitative data, while in-depth interviews and observation were used for the qualitative data. Using Australian Calculator, the researcher arrived at a sample size of 385 respondents from a population of 16,381,729. Findings from the study revealed that 79.1% of the residents of South East, Nigeria are highly aware of the Ebola virus. Result of data also reveals that 57.1% of south-east residents have high knowledge of the Ebola virus, its transmission and prevention method, while 56.1% and 55.4% respondents respectively, to a large extent, have been influenced in attitudes and practices by awareness campaigns on Ebola virus. The researcher concluded that the mass media were effective in the campaigns aimed at stemming the spread of the virus. It was recommended that there should be sustained mass media campaign against the killer Ebola virus to keep Nigerians a step ahead of the disease. 

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Published
2017-02-16
How to Cite
APEH, Andrew Chiahalam; OBAYI, Paul Martin; ONYEBUCHI, Chima Alexander. Influence of Ebola Virus Surveillance Campaigns on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Residents in South East, Nigeria. GOUNI Journal of Management and Social Sciences, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 2, p. 231-249, feb. 2017. ISSN 2550-7265. Available at: <http://journal.gouni.edu.ng/index.php/fmss/article/view/27>. Date accessed: 11 may 2018.
Section
Articles

Keywords

Ebola; Surveillance; Knowledge; Attitude