A community-engaged infection prevention and control approach to Ebola
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Date
2015
Authors
Marais, F.
Minkler, M.
Gibson, N.
Mwau, B.
Mehtar, S.
Ogunsola, F.T.
Banya, S.S.
Corburn, J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Abstract
The real missing link in Ebola control efforts to date may lie in the failure to apply core principles of health promotion: the early, active and sustained engagement of affected communities, their trusted leaders, networks and lay knowledge, to help inform what local control teams do, and how they may better do it, in partnership with communities. The predominant focus on viral transmission has inadvertently stigmatized and created fear-driven responses among affected individuals, families and communities. While rigorous adherence to standard infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions and safetystandards for Ebola is critical, we maybe moresuccessful if we validate and combine local communityknowledgeandexperienceswiththatofIPCmedicalteams.Inanenvironmentoftrust,community partners can help us learn of modest adjustments that would not compromise safety but could improve community understanding of, and responses to, disease control protocol, so that it better reflects their ‘community protocol’ (local customs, beliefs, knowledge and practices) and concerns. Drawing on the experience of local experts in several African nations and of community-engaged health promotion leaders in the USA, Canada and WHO, we present an eight step model,from entering communities with cultural humility, though reciprocal learning and trust, multi-method communication, development of the joint protocol, to assessing progress and outcomes and building for sustainability. Using examples of changes that are culturally relevant yet maintain safety, we illustrate how often minor adjustments can help prevent and treat the most serious emerging infectious disease since HIV/AIDS.
Description
Keywords
Community participation , Ebola , Global health , IPC
Citation
Marais, F., Minkler, M., Gibson, N., Mwau, B., Mehtar, S., Ogunsola, F., Banya S.S. and Corburn, J. (2015). A community-engaged infection prevention and control approach to Ebola. Health Promotion International, 1-10.