Abstract

Objective: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has been increasing step-wise every year in our country. Healthcare workers are among the risk groups for the disease. In this study we aimed to detect the general knowledge of our hospital staff about CCHF. 

Methods: To achieve this, we planned an education on CCHF for three days and conducted questionnaires on the topic before and after seminars. The questionnaires were filled by voluntary participants and consisted of basic epidemiologic, virologic and clinical properties of the illness.

Results: When the questionnaires were evaluated, it was seen that our health care personnel have a high level of knowledge about basic characteristics of  transmission routes, clinical and laboratory findings of CCHF (>90%). The poor knowledge on durability of the virus, incubation period of the disease and procedures after contact of blood or other infectious material of the patients were improved after education (from 94.9% to 99.1%, from 88% to 92.4% and from 36.3% to 58.7% respectively, p<0.05). 

Conclusions: Regular education seminars will improve knowledge on the disease and how to be protected from it, resulting in a more sensitive and well-informed population