The post-Ebola virus disease scourge in Nigeria: Individual levels of preparedness among physicians in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja

BACKGROUND: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a viral hemorrhagic illness with great propensity for spread across international borders. The latest outbreak in the West African region, which involved Nigeria, was the worst among previously documented 25 outbreaks since discovery in 1976. The Nigerian response toward attaining Ebola free status was phenomenal and a case study for most nations. However, the persistence of EVD in West Africa is still a risk to recurrence, hence, the need to assess the level of consciousness of Nigerian physicians towards this. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study utilizing the instrument of a pretested semi-structured questionnaire was conducted among physicians practicing within the federal capital city of Nigeria. General knowledge, treatment, prevention, and reporting of EVD were assessed and appropriate statistical analyses done using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 101 respondents, 45% and 87% showed excellent level (>80% score) of “general knowledge” and “reporting” on EVD, respectively. However, only 51% respondents had good (60–80%) knowledge on EVD treatment. Three percent correctly identified the “EVD helpline” phone-numbers for reporting suspected cases. Furthermore, 43.6% admitted the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in their hospitals while 35.6% had witnessed a demonstration of the use. The distribution of the PPEs appeared skewed - 74.4% (teaching-hospitals), 16% (private-hospitals), and the primary health care centers (9.6%). CONCLUSION: A majority of the physicians showed good level of preparedness as it relates to general knowledge on EVD, knowledge on good clinical practice, use of protocols and standard precautions and PPE. The identification of deficits in knowledge on treatment of EVD and flow path for the notification of suspected cases requires urgent redress given the risk of re-occurrence in the country.