Assessment of healthcare worker preparedness and health literacy for Marburg virus disease in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Marburg virus disease (MVD) poses an emerging threat to Nigeria, particularly following the 2022 outbreak in neighbouring Ghana. With Nigeria already managing Lassa fever and Mpox outbreaks, assessing healthcare workers’ preparedness at viral haemorrhagic disease reference centres is crucial for effective outbreak response.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes and preparedness regarding MVD at Nigeria’s primary viral haemorrhagic fever reference centre.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, from May 2024 to October 2024. Healthcare workers were recruited using simple random sampling and data collected via semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed using Stata 17.
Results: Of the 216 participants, 126 (58.3%) were doctors and 90 (41.7%) were nurses. Doctors demonstrated significantly higher knowledge of MVD symptoms (65.9% vs 46.7%, p < 0.001) and risk factors, with fever being the most recognised symptom (68.0%). Only 19.1% of doctors and 10.0% of nurses had received formal MVD training. Confidence in hospital preparedness was paradoxically lower among doctors (32.5%) than nurses (65.6%, p < 0.001). Most participants felt inadequately equipped with personal protective equipment, with only 38.1% of doctors and 48.9% of nurses reporting adequate protection.
Conclusion: Significant gaps exist in MVD health literacy and outbreak preparedness among Nigerian healthcare workers at a major viral haemorrhagic disease centre.
Contribution: Enhanced training programmes, improved resource allocation and systematic preparedness protocols are urgently needed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for MVD outbreak response.