Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Content
    • Current Issue
    • Advance Access
    • Archive
    • Supplements
    • Topic Collections
  • For Authors
    • Instructions for Authors
    • Submit Manuscript
    • Supplements
  • About
    • About GHSP
    • Editorial Team
    • Editorial Board
    • FAQs
    • Instructions for Reviewers
  • Webinars
    • Local Voices Webinar
    • Connecting Creators and Users of Knowledge
    • Publishing About Programs in GHSP
  • Other Useful Sites
    • GH eLearning
    • GHJournal Search

User menu

  • My Alerts

Search

  • Advanced search
Global Health: Science and Practice
  • Other Useful Sites
    • GH eLearning
    • GHJournal Search
  • My Alerts

Global Health: Science and Practice

Dedicated to what works in global health programs

Advanced Search

  • Content
    • Current Issue
    • Advance Access
    • Archive
    • Supplements
    • Topic Collections
  • For Authors
    • Instructions for Authors
    • Submit Manuscript
    • Supplements
  • About
    • About GHSP
    • Editorial Team
    • Editorial Board
    • FAQs
    • Instructions for Reviewers
  • Webinars
    • Local Voices Webinar
    • Connecting Creators and Users of Knowledge
    • Publishing About Programs in GHSP
  • Alerts
  • Visit GHSP on Facebook
  • Follow GHSP on Twitter
  • RSS
  • Find GHSP on LinkedIn
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Open Access

Social Mobilization and Community Engagement Central to the Ebola Response in West Africa: Lessons for Future Public Health Emergencies

Amaya M Gillespie, Rafael Obregon, Rania El Asawi, Catherine Richey, Erma Manoncourt, Kshiitij Joshi, Savita Naqvi, Ade Pouye, Naqibullah Safi, Ketan Chitnis and Sabeeha Quereshi
Global Health: Science and Practice December 2016, 4(4):626-646; https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00226
Amaya M Gillespie
a United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), New York, NY, USA.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Rafael Obregon
b United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, NY, USA.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Rania El Asawi
c UNICEF, Monrovia, Liberia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Catherine Richey
b United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, NY, USA.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: crichey@unicef.org
Erma Manoncourt
a United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), New York, NY, USA.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Kshiitij Joshi
d UNICEF, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Savita Naqvi
e UNICEF, Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Ade Pouye
f UNICEF, Conakry, Guinea.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Naqibullah Safi
c UNICEF, Monrovia, Liberia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Ketan Chitnis
b United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, NY, USA.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Sabeeha Quereshi
b United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), New York, NY, USA.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
PreviousNext
  • Article
  • Figures & Tables
  • Supplements
  • Info & Metrics
  • Comments
  • PDF
Loading

Figures & Tables

Figures

  • Tables
  • Additional Files
  • FIGURE 1
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    FIGURE 1

    Communication for Development Challenges and Successes in Phase I (July–December 2014) and Phase II (January–April 2015) of the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa

    Abbreviations: CCC, community care center; CE, community engagement; SOP, standard operating procedure.

    Source: 2015 survey of UNICEF, UNMEER, NGO, government, and civil society staff who worked on Ebola between July 2014 and April 2015.

  • FIGURE 2
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    FIGURE 2

    Integration of Social Mobilization Into Quarantine Protocols

    Abbreviations: CT, contact tracer; HH, household; PPE, personal protective equipment; PSS, psychosocial support; SM, social mobilization.

    Source: National Ebola Response Centre 2015.17

  • Figure3
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint

    In September 2014, Edmond Bankiu (right), an HIV/AIDS specialist with UNICEF also serving as a focal point for social mobilization efforts during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, broadcast information about the Ebola campaign via radio in Freetown with one of the hosts (left) of the radio segment. In the 3 countries affected most by Ebola (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone), radio had the greatest reach and flexibility of all available communication channels.

  • Figure4
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint

    Girls from Lofa County, Liberia, read a poster on how to prevent spreading Ebola. Dissemination of key messages was recognized as one of the stronger elements of the Ebola response in West Africa.

  • Figure5
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint

    UNICEF staff prepare to travel to islands off the coast of Conakry, Guinea, in May 2014 to share key messages with communities on the symptoms of Ebola and how to prevent its transmission. A global network of communication specialists is needed to support future public health emergency situations.

  • Figure6
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
  • Figure7
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
  • Figure8
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
  • Figure9
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
  • Figure10
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint

Tables

  • Figures
  • Additional Files
    • View popup
    TABLE

    Community Engagement Considerations in Rural and Urban Settings, Based on Ebola Experience in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone

    Issue/FactorRuralUrban
    Socio-demographics (e.g., poverty, literacy, education)Approaches need to be tailored to socioeconomic status and literacy, but can be managed.Literacy tends to be higher and English understood more than in rural settings, but still difficult to cater for the diversity in socioeconomic status in densely populated urban settings.
    Traditional, social government structures that provide potential for sustainability, but can sometimes marginalize groups of people or other times provide an opportunity for better reachHighLow
    Understanding and correcting rumorsLocalized rumors can be settled with local leaders and/or in a community meeting more easily than in urban areas, but still hard if various rumors are circulating.Very hard to correct misinformation once widely circulated. Mistrust tends to fuel further distortion and undermine efforts to correct misinformation.
    Access and reach for supplies and logisticsEasier to distribute than in urban areas, although further away.Hard to distribute due to congestion/population density.
    Partner coordination between regional and local command centersVery organized and responsive, once up and running.Hard to cope with very high demand; needs additional contingency and resources.
    Data collection and monitoringHard because communities can be cautious and it is hard to reach everyone.Hard due to dense population, difficult living conditions, lack of trust. Data collection and feedback are usually too slow to keep pace with changing situations in communities.
    Differences in Preparation, Response, and Recovery phasesInitially Ebola was concentrated in rural areas; response improved with decentralized command centers.As Ebola intensified, it also reached urban areas and the response struggled to keep pace. Many areas had no prevalence for a long time. Hard to remain vigilant over protracted period.
    Interpersonal vs. mass media communication approachesMass media (radio) worked well in rural areas (when tailored regarding language, messenger, etc.), with reinforcement from interpersonal approaches (e.g., chiefs, religious leaders, community groups).Mass media in urban areas is hard to tailor to all needs; interpersonal approaches are very labor intensive for urban settings.
    IncentivesHard; incentives need to be set out clearly across organizations and functions, and consistently followed everywhere, from chiefs to volunteers.Hard; consistency across organizations and administration is very complicated in densely populated areas.
    Capacity of health staff, community mobilizers, and ability to work together in teamsHard to recruit and support the full range of technical and management skills, local and international staff, etc., especially for long periods.While more people are available in urban settings, it is still hard to recruit and support the full range of skills needed, especially for long periods.

Additional Files

  • Figures
  • Tables
  • Supplementary Data

    Supplementary Data

    • Text s01, JPG - Text s01, JPG
    • Text so2, PDF - Text so2, PDF
    • Text so3, PDF - Text so3, PDF
    • Text so4, PDF - Text so4, PDF
    • Text so5, PDF - Text so5, PDF
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Global Health: Science and Practice: 4 (4)
Global Health: Science and Practice
Vol. 4, No. 4
December 23, 2016
  • Table of Contents
  • About the Cover
  • Index by Author
  • Complete Issue (PDF)
Print
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about Global Health: Science and Practice.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Social Mobilization and Community Engagement Central to the Ebola Response in West Africa: Lessons for Future Public Health Emergencies
(Your Name) has forwarded a page to you from Global Health: Science and Practice
(Your Name) thought you would like to see this page from the Global Health: Science and Practice web site.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Citation Tools
Social Mobilization and Community Engagement Central to the Ebola Response in West Africa: Lessons for Future Public Health Emergencies
Amaya M Gillespie, Rafael Obregon, Rania El Asawi, Catherine Richey, Erma Manoncourt, Kshiitij Joshi, Savita Naqvi, Ade Pouye, Naqibullah Safi, Ketan Chitnis, Sabeeha Quereshi
Global Health: Science and Practice Dec 2016, 4 (4) 626-646; DOI: 10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00226

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Social Mobilization and Community Engagement Central to the Ebola Response in West Africa: Lessons for Future Public Health Emergencies
Amaya M Gillespie, Rafael Obregon, Rania El Asawi, Catherine Richey, Erma Manoncourt, Kshiitij Joshi, Savita Naqvi, Ade Pouye, Naqibullah Safi, Ketan Chitnis, Sabeeha Quereshi
Global Health: Science and Practice Dec 2016, 4 (4) 626-646; DOI: 10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00226
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Jump to section

  • Article
    • ABSTRACT
    • INTRODUCTION
    • METHODOLOGY
    • FINDINGS
    • OUTLOOK FOR FUTURE OUTBREAKS (AND OTHER EMERGENCIES)
    • CONCLUSION
    • Acknowledgments
    • APPENDIX.
    • Notes
    • REFERENCES
  • Figures & Tables
  • Supplements
  • Info & Metrics
  • Comments
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • Qualitative Review of Organizational Responses to Rumors in the 2014-2016 Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Liberia and Sierra Leone
  • How To Prepare for the Unexpected: a Public Health Laboratory Response
  • Integrated digital system for community engagement and community-based surveillance during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone: lessons for future health emergencies
  • Community engagement for COVID-19 prevention and control: a rapid evidence synthesis
  • Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey
  • Community engagement in outbreak response: lessons from the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone
  • Beyond the building blocks: integrating community roles into health systems frameworks to achieve health for all
  • Trust, fear, stigma and disruptions: community perceptions and experiences during periods of low but ongoing transmission of Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone, 2015
  • National survey of Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes and practices before the outbreak peak in Sierra Leone: August 2014
  • The 117 call alert system in Sierra Leone: from rapid Ebola notification to routine death reporting
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Data to Action: A Mixed-Methods Study of Data Use Teams, Improved Availability of Contraceptives in Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, and Myanmar
  • “Testing Can Be Done Anywhere”: A Qualitative Assessment of Targeted Community-Based Point-of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in Lusaka, Zambia
  • A Cross-Sectional Assessment of HIV Self-Testing Preferences and Uptake Among Key Populations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Show more ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Similar Articles

Subjects

  • Health Topics
    • Other Communicable Diseases
US AIDJohns Hopkins Center for Communication ProgramsUniversity of Alberta

Follow Us On

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS

Articles

  • Current Issue
  • Advance Access Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Topic Collections
  • Most Read Articles
  • Supplements

More Information

  • Submit a Paper
  • Instructions for Authors
  • Instructions for Reviewers
  • GH Journals Database

About

  • About GHSP
  • Editorial Board
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. ISSN: 2169-575X

Powered by HighWire