Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Community Members toward the Ebola Virus Disease (Evd) in Paga, Kasena-Nankana West District

Abstract

The study explored the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of community members towards the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Paga, Kasena-Nankana West District. The study used a qualitative research design, and a phenomenological method. Data was collected using purposive, convenient and criterion sampling approaches to recruit respondents for the study. In all, thirty-six (36) respondents residing in the Paga community made up of fourteen (14) community men which includes two focus group discussions and two in-depth interviews, fourteen (14) community women which includes two focus group discussions and two in-depth interview, two (2) Port Health Officials, two (2) Custom Service Officers, two (2) Immigration Officers and two (2) Plant Quarantine Officers. A Semi-structured in-depth interview and focus group discussion guides, in addition to the use of an audio recorder and a field note book were used to collect data for thematic analysis. The study revealed that the respondents have considerable knowledge on EVD. They recognize Ebola as a disease which is caused by bush animals such as bats, chimpanzees, antelopes and as an air borne disease which is transmitted and contracted through body contact, sweat, body fluids and others. They perceived Ebola as a deadly disease which can only be healed by health professionals, and not traditional health practitioners. At the community level, clean up exercises according to respondents are organized periodically and members are educated on the preventive methods of EDV. At the border, officers screen travellers to prevent them from entering the country with the virus, and officers are cautioned to ensure that they do not infect themselves with the virus in their quest of screening travellers. Health officials are also stationed at the border to assist the officers in the screening exercise. Cultural practices according to respondent that are most likely to contribute to EVD were, funerals, festivals, Female Genital Mutilation, burial practices, naming ceremonies and church services which bring people together. It was recommended that, the Government and neighbouring countries strengthen border security, in addition to stepping up advocacy to minimise or abolish the socio-cultural practices such as the female genital mutilation and widowhood rites which can increase infection or spread of EVD. Also, health promotion and education should be enhanced to help prevent the outbreak of EVD in the country. To further add literature on the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of community members towards the EVD, it is suggested that further studies should be conducted in other border communities across the country using different methodological approaches to help generalize the findings of the study.