Australian Hajj pilgrims' knowledge, attitude and perception about Ebola, November 2014 to February 2015

Euro Surveill. 2015 Mar 26;20(12):21072. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.12.21072.

Abstract

Upon return from Hajj 2014, 150 Australian pilgrims were interviewed about their understanding of the Ebola epidemic. Most (89%, 134/150) knew of the epidemic before travelling and 60% (80/134) of those knew Ebola transmits through body fluids. Pilgrims who received pre-travel health advice were more conscious of Ebola (69% vs 31%, p = 0.01) and adhered better to hand hygiene after touching an ill person (68% vs 31%, p < 0.01). Mass media was the main information source (78%).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Crowding
  • Epidemics
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Surveys
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / prevention & control*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / transmission
  • Humans
  • Islam*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception
  • Travel*
  • Young Adult