Figures & Tables
Figures
- 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
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
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.
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.
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.
Tables
- TABLE
Community Engagement Considerations in Rural and Urban Settings, Based on Ebola Experience in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone
Issue/Factor Rural Urban 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 reach High Low Understanding and correcting rumors Localized 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 logistics Easier to distribute than in urban areas, although further away. Hard to distribute due to congestion/population density. Partner coordination between regional and local command centers Very organized and responsive, once up and running. Hard to cope with very high demand; needs additional contingency and resources. Data collection and monitoring Hard 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 phases Initially 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 approaches Mass 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. Incentives Hard; 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 teams Hard 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.
Supplementary Data
Supplementary Data
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