Preparedness of health care systems for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi Districts, Western Uganda

Abstract

Abstract Introduction and background: Ebola virus genera belong to the Filoviridae family (filovirus). The Ebola virus is comprised of five distinct sub-types namely; Bundibugyo, Côte d’Ivoire, Reston, Sudan, and Zaïre .Ebola Zaïre, Sudan, and Bundibugyo sub-types have been characteristically associated with large viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) outbreaks. Preparedness is the knowledge and other capacities developed by individuals, communities, governments, professional response and recovery organizations, to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from the impacts of likely and imminent or current hazardous events or conditions. Globally, filovirus hemorrhagic fever were reported in 1967 in Germany and the former Yugoslavia, and the causative agent was identified. Ebola Viral Disease has occurred with increasing frequency in the last fifteen years. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess preparedness of health care system for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi districts so as to identify appropriate preparedness measures for Ebola outbreak response. Methods: The study was conducted in Western Uganda using across sectional descriptive study design to determine the level of health care system preparedness of different health facilities. A total sample of 189 health care workers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and 22 health facilities were assessed. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics, disaggregated by district and type of health facility and presented using frequencies and proportion in appropriate tables and figure. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between the covariates and the dependent variable. Odds ratio and confidence intervals were reported for the unadjusted and adjusted estimates. Results: Overall 55% (12/22) of the health facilities were categorized as not prepared in terms of infrastructure. Similarly 55% (12/22) of HFs found not have adequate logistic capacity. Overall, 54% (102/187) of HCWs were not knowledgeable about Ebola Virus Disease. The Older HCWs were 67 times less likely to be knowledgeable with; (AOR 0.33 CI: 0.11-0.91). Conclusions: Kasese and Rubirizi districts are not prepared in terms of infrastructure, logistics and knowledge regarding Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and response.