Assessment of knowledge regarding prevention and treatment of Ebola virus among undergraduate medical students in Chennai, India: a questionnaire based study

Background: Ebola virus disease is a dreadful condition associated with high mortality rate threatening the entire world. Our study was aimed to assess the knowledge and to create awareness about Ebola among undergraduate medical students.Methods: A self-administered, pretested questionnaire with 30 questions focusing on the general information of virus, mode of transmission, clinical features and complications of the infection, diagnosis, treatment, preventive measures, and epidemiological features was given to the study participants. Scoring system was followed, and statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and comparison between different sections by one-way analysis of variance.Results: Totally, 263 medical students participated in the study. Based on the percentile of scores obtained they were categorized into three groups, better knowledge (18-30), average knowledge (10-17), poor knowledge (0-9). On the whole 70% students had an average level of knowledge 25% students had better knowledge and 5% students had poor knowledge. Female students had better knowledge when compared to male students (p<0.0001). Similarly, second year students had better knowledge than interns and final year students (p<0.0001). Students had less knowledge regarding clinical features, epidemiological features and relatively poor knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment. Comparatively, knowledge about mode of transmission, preventive measures and general information of virus were better.Conclusion: This study demonstrates apparent lack of knowledge regarding various aspects of Ebola and emphasis to conduct awareness programs to manage the dreadful consequences of the disease if rises