Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Ebola Virus Disease Among Medical Students and Their Implications for Outbreak Preparedness.

Introduction Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a life-threatening illness caused by the Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of the Filoviridae family. In this study, we aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, concerning Ebola virus disease. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study from January 2022 to June 2022, involving 198 students. We created a structured self-administered questionnaire to collect data from the participants. The questionnaire was disseminated to eligible students via official WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA) groups. Results The 198 respondents had a mean age of 21.87 ± 1.26 years, and 53% (n = 105) were female students. Third-year medical students were the largest cohort (42.4%; n = 84), followed by second-year (34.9%; n = 69), and fourth-year students (22.7%; n = 45). The participants had a poor knowledge score overall, with only 16.7% (n = 33) answering 70% of the knowledge questions correctly. The attitudes of the students toward EVD survivors were mixed. In terms of practical competence, most students did not attend any workshops on how to manage Ebola cases (79.3%; n = 157). Furthermore, only 25.7% (n = 51) knew the importance of donning gowns and gloves to protect healthcare workers against EVD. Conclusions Our study not only provides insights into how medical students understand and feel regarding EVD, but also highlights notable gaps in knowledge and practical readiness. Educational programs focusing on transmission dynamics and management of EVD are therefore highly recommended. Additionally, more hands-on training is essential to increase the preparedness of future healthcare workers to face potential Ebola outbreaks with confidence and ability.