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Journal Article > Research

Survivors' Perceptions of Public Health Messages During an Ebola Crisis in Liberia and Sierra Leone: An Exploratory Study

Schwerdtle PN, De Clerck V, Plummer V
Abstract
The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone was the largest epidemic of Ebola ever recorded. The healthcare workforce was diminished and exhausted as the region emerged from civil war. Few qualitative, descriptive studies have been conducted to date that concentrate on the voices of Ebola survivors and their perceptions of health messages. In this study, we employed an interpretive, qualitative design to explore participant experiences. Twenty five survivors who had recovered from Ebola were recruited from three villages in Liberia and Sierra Leone in August 2015. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Data analysis revealed four themes: (i) degrees of mistrust; (ii) messages conflicting with life and culture; (iii) seeing is believing; and (iv) recovery inspires hope. The findings were explored in the context of the relevant literature. The themes highlight the need to develop culturally-appropriate messages, underpinned by a sound understanding of the community and a willingness to work with the culture and trusted leaders.
Countries
LiberiaSierra Leone
Subject Area
Ebolaoperational research
DOI
10.1111/nhs.12372
Published Date
20-Sep-2017
PubMed ID
28929557
Languages
English
Journal
Nursing and Health Sciences
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 19, Issue 4
Issue Date
20-Sep-2017
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