Knowledge of Ebola virus disease among students at AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia

Lely Lubna Alaydrus; Nurul Atikah Binti Mohamed Hanaphi; Nur Anisa Binti Mohamed  Haniffah; Nurulain Binti Sukeri; Liling Chaw; Lin Naing

doi:10.13181/mji.v28i2.2441

Authors

Lely Lubna Alaydrus Community Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, AIMST University, Kedah, Malaysia; Magister Management, Universitas Mercu Buana, Jakarta, Indonesia
Nurul Atikah Binti Mohamed Hanaphi Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital, Temerloh, Pahang, Malaysia
Nur Anisa Binti Mohamed Haniffah Kulim Hospital, Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia
Nurulain Binti Sukeri Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Malaysia
Liling Chaw PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
Lin Naing PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13181/mji.v28i2.2441

Keywords:

Ebola virus, knowledge, Malaysia, students

Abstract

BACKGROUND To assess the level of knowledge of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among students at The Asian Institute of Medical, Science and Technology (AIMST) University.

METHODS This research is a cross-sectional study of 250 year-1 to year-4 students selected through the stratified sampling method from five health science faculties at AIMST University. Independent variables included students' age, gender, faculty of origin, source of information, and participation in seminars or conferences, while the dependent variable was the students' knowledge of EVD. Data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS The majority of the students did not have adequate knowledge of EVD (77.2%). The level of knowledge of EVD was significantly associated with faculty of origin (p = 0.014) only and not associated with other variables, such as sociodemographic factors, source of information, and participation in seminars or conferences.

CONCLUSIONS Information on EVD needs to be disseminated more intensively among university students due to the current lack of knowledge of the disease.

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