Abstract
Abstract This study assessed the knowledge and perception of the role of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the containment of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among secondary school students in Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study of 420 students from eight schools (public and private) in Ibadan was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Overall, 60% reported EVD was airborne. A majority (71%) of the respondents had good knowledge of EVD, while a majority (92%) had a good perception of the role of WASH in EVD containment. Class of respondents was significantly (p = 0.045) associated with knowledge of WASH. Although schools had satisfactory sanitary facilities, only a few (21%) sustained good hygiene practices at the end of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Our findings revealed suboptimal knowledge on transmission of EVD, and unsustainable hygiene practices among secondary students post-Nigeria's EVD outbreak. High priority should be given to hygiene education among educators and students. Implementation of monitoring and evaluation of hygiene behaviour among secondary school students should also be a priority.
Highlights
The 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic was the largest ever recorded with 28,639 cases and 11,316 deaths (WHO )
Noteworthy is the fact that a substantial proportion of the students incorrectly mentioned handwashing with soap and water in a bowl as the preferable way of preventing transmission of the Ebola virus
Our findings revealed a poor sustainability of improved hygiene behaviour among secondary school students after Nigeria was declared Ebola free
Summary
The 2014–2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic was the largest ever recorded with 28,639 cases and 11,316 deaths (WHO ). As of December 2014, the number of Ebola cases was four times higher than the combined total of all past outbreaks (UNDP ). While past outbreaks were relatively confined to rural areas, the recent outbreak was widespread in the urban areas. In Nigeria, among 20 reported cases, eight deaths were recorded (WHO a) during the short-term outbreak of EVD in 2014. Other West African countries suffered ongoing EVD transmission (Althaus et al )
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