Evaluation of knowledge of the healthcare personnel working in Giresun province regarding Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever before and after educational training.

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED BACKGROUNDS & OBJECTIVES: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a highly fatal and contagious tick-borne viral disease. Healthcare workers (HCWs) should know how and with which symptoms can CCHF patients attend to hospitals, and be aware of nosocomial transmission capability. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of HCWs working in Giresun province regarding CCHF. METHODS: This research was carried out during an educational programme arranged for healthcare personnel working in district state hospitals in June 2012. In total, 428 workers completed a self-administered questionnaire including personal demographic characteristics, general knowledge of CCHF disease, knowledge of nosocomial transmission and infection control during hospitalization. RESULTS: Almost all participants (95.3%) knew that the workers in livestock and agriculture were at risk. About 93.5% of participants knew that tick bite is the cause of CCHF transmission. In contrast to this high ratio, only 73 and 77% workers knew that CCHF can be transmitted by direct contact with animal's or patient's blood and body fluids, but after imparting relevant information in the form of one hour lecture given by a doctor expertised in infectious diseases, 92% gave correct answers. Nearly, all healthcare workers were aware that ticks should be removed by using fine-tipped tweezers without crushing (90.7%). Doctors were the most and the laboratory personnel the least well-informed groups. The knowledge degree significantly increased from 67.48 ± 13.89 to 80.92 ± 10.80 points after providing the CCHF related information (p<0.05). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: It was observed that the healthcare personnel working in district state hospitals of the province were moderately aware of CCHF disease. There is possibility of achieving improvement in their knowledge by educating them regarding CCHF and such educational programmes should be conducted from time-to-time.