Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria and Preventive Practice

2014 witnessed the closing down of schools in some African countries as a result of the EBOLA crisis, which brought about devastating consequences such as early pregnancies, child labour, forced marriages, physical and sexual abuse to name a few. Designing appropriate interventions for these problems, this study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and preventive practice of Senior Secondary School Students on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study used multi-stage and proportionate sampling methods. A total of 460 semi-structured self-administered questionnaires were administered to consenting Senior Secondary School students. The findings of the study revealed that 100 per cent of the respondents had previously heard of EVD. Overall knowledge of EVD was poor 114 (24.8%) and fair for 290 (63%) and good for 56 (12.2%). The relationship between knowledge, practice and attitude scores of respondents at their various departments (Science, Art and Commercial) were not statistically significant, setting (p = 0.005). However, the relationship between the class of respondents and their attitude towards EVD were statistically significant setting (p = 0.005).