Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo; Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu; Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu; Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga; Dosithe Ngo Bebe; Arlette Mavila; Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

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Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo, Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu, Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu, Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga, Dosithe Ngo Bebe, Arlette Mavila, Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami

Received: 28 October 2019 Accepted: 2 December 2019 Published: 7 December 2019

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Abstract

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is enduring; since 2018, its tenth and deadliest Ebola outbreak already over 2000 deaths have been claimed. Compliance to control measures relied on trust and the perception of the population. This study aimed at exploring the perception of people living in areas affected by the Ebola virus disease (EVD). This study was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in three health zones in three of the most affected districts: Katwa in Butembo city, Beni in Beni city and Mandima in Ituri Province. One hundred and three participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were conducted using a guide that included open-ended questions on: 1) Participants’ experience of the EDV; 2) Perception of the Ebola outbreak; 3) Perception of self-vulnerability; and 4) Perception of the effectiveness of control measures to stop the outbreak. Thematic analysis was used to report qualitative findings. The results of this study showed that participants’ experience of the EVD was through members (relatives, friends, neighbours…) of the community who were either infected or in contact with the virus. Their perception of the symptoms, the management and the outcomes of these episodes were keystone of the way in which they comprehended the disease. Some members of the community questioned the diagnosis since several cases did not develop haemorrhagic symptoms. Participants showed some confidence on their own vulnerability to the disease and were convinced, to some extent, that this outbreak could be stopped if those control measures were respected. However, the denial of the outbreak fueled by political distrust still remains challenging. We concluded that addressing the Ebola outbreak requires an adapted bottom-up communication that could help alleviate this lack of trust, improve community perception and therefore, of the disease.

DOI	10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
Published in	Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 5, Issue 6, December 2019)
Page(s)	316-321
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ebola, Outbreak, Perception, Compliance

References

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APA Style

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo, Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu, Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu, Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga, Dosithe Ngo Bebe, et al. (2019). Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. Central African Journal of Public Health, 5(6), 316-321. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

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ACS Style

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo; Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu; Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu; Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga; Dosithe Ngo Bebe, et al. Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2019, 5(6), 316-321. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

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AMA Style

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo, Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu, Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu, Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga, Dosithe Ngo Bebe, et al. Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2019;5(6):316-321. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

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@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24,
  author = {Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo and Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu and Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu and Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga and Dosithe Ngo Bebe and Arlette Mavila and Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami},
  title = {Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {5},
  number = {6},
  pages = {316-321},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20190506.24},
  abstract = {The Democratic Republic of the Congo is enduring; since 2018, its tenth and deadliest Ebola outbreak already over 2000 deaths have been claimed. Compliance to control measures relied on trust and the perception of the population. This study aimed at exploring the perception of people living in areas affected by the Ebola virus disease (EVD). This study was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in three health zones in three of the most affected districts: Katwa in Butembo city, Beni in Beni city and Mandima in Ituri Province. One hundred and three participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were conducted using a guide that included open-ended questions on: 1) Participants’ experience of the EDV; 2) Perception of the Ebola outbreak; 3) Perception of self-vulnerability; and 4) Perception of the effectiveness of control measures to stop the outbreak. Thematic analysis was used to report qualitative findings. The results of this study showed that participants’ experience of the EVD was through members (relatives, friends, neighbours…) of the community who were either infected or in contact with the virus. Their perception of the symptoms, the management and the outcomes of these episodes were keystone of the way in which they comprehended the disease. Some members of the community questioned the diagnosis since several cases did not develop haemorrhagic symptoms. Participants showed some confidence on their own vulnerability to the disease and were convinced, to some extent, that this outbreak could be stopped if those control measures were respected. However, the denial of the outbreak fueled by political distrust still remains challenging. We concluded that addressing the Ebola outbreak requires an adapted bottom-up communication that could help alleviate this lack of trust, improve community perception and therefore, of the disease.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019
AU  - Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo
AU  - Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu
AU  - Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu
AU  - Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga
AU  - Dosithe Ngo Bebe
AU  - Arlette Mavila
AU  - Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami
Y1  - 2019/12/07
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP  - 316
EP  - 321
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5781
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
AB  - The Democratic Republic of the Congo is enduring; since 2018, its tenth and deadliest Ebola outbreak already over 2000 deaths have been claimed. Compliance to control measures relied on trust and the perception of the population. This study aimed at exploring the perception of people living in areas affected by the Ebola virus disease (EVD). This study was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in three health zones in three of the most affected districts: Katwa in Butembo city, Beni in Beni city and Mandima in Ituri Province. One hundred and three participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were conducted using a guide that included open-ended questions on: 1) Participants’ experience of the EDV; 2) Perception of the Ebola outbreak; 3) Perception of self-vulnerability; and 4) Perception of the effectiveness of control measures to stop the outbreak. Thematic analysis was used to report qualitative findings. The results of this study showed that participants’ experience of the EVD was through members (relatives, friends, neighbours…) of the community who were either infected or in contact with the virus. Their perception of the symptoms, the management and the outcomes of these episodes were keystone of the way in which they comprehended the disease. Some members of the community questioned the diagnosis since several cases did not develop haemorrhagic symptoms. Participants showed some confidence on their own vulnerability to the disease and were convinced, to some extent, that this outbreak could be stopped if those control measures were respected. However, the denial of the outbreak fueled by political distrust still remains challenging. We concluded that addressing the Ebola outbreak requires an adapted bottom-up communication that could help alleviate this lack of trust, improve community perception and therefore, of the disease.
VL  - 5
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dosithe Ngo Bebe

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Arlette Mavila

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami

Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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APA Style

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo, Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu, Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu, Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga, Dosithe Ngo Bebe, et al. (2019). Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. Central African Journal of Public Health, 5(6), 316-321. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

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ACS Style

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo; Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu; Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu; Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga; Dosithe Ngo Bebe, et al. Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2019, 5(6), 316-321. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

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AMA Style

Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo, Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu, Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu, Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga, Dosithe Ngo Bebe, et al. Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2019;5(6):316-321. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24,
  author = {Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo and Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu and Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu and Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga and Dosithe Ngo Bebe and Arlette Mavila and Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami},
  title = {Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019},
  journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
  volume = {5},
  number = {6},
  pages = {316-321},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20190506.24},
  abstract = {The Democratic Republic of the Congo is enduring; since 2018, its tenth and deadliest Ebola outbreak already over 2000 deaths have been claimed. Compliance to control measures relied on trust and the perception of the population. This study aimed at exploring the perception of people living in areas affected by the Ebola virus disease (EVD). This study was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in three health zones in three of the most affected districts: Katwa in Butembo city, Beni in Beni city and Mandima in Ituri Province. One hundred and three participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were conducted using a guide that included open-ended questions on: 1) Participants’ experience of the EDV; 2) Perception of the Ebola outbreak; 3) Perception of self-vulnerability; and 4) Perception of the effectiveness of control measures to stop the outbreak. Thematic analysis was used to report qualitative findings. The results of this study showed that participants’ experience of the EVD was through members (relatives, friends, neighbours…) of the community who were either infected or in contact with the virus. Their perception of the symptoms, the management and the outcomes of these episodes were keystone of the way in which they comprehended the disease. Some members of the community questioned the diagnosis since several cases did not develop haemorrhagic symptoms. Participants showed some confidence on their own vulnerability to the disease and were convinced, to some extent, that this outbreak could be stopped if those control measures were respected. However, the denial of the outbreak fueled by political distrust still remains challenging. We concluded that addressing the Ebola outbreak requires an adapted bottom-up communication that could help alleviate this lack of trust, improve community perception and therefore, of the disease.},
 year = {2019}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Community Compliance to the Ebola Outbreak Control Measures in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019
AU  - Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo
AU  - Therese Nyangi Mondo Mambu
AU  - Antoinette Kitoto Tshefu
AU  - Gilbert Utshudienyema Wembodinga
AU  - Dosithe Ngo Bebe
AU  - Arlette Mavila
AU  - Jack Hyyombo Tambwe Kokolomami
Y1  - 2019/12/07
PY  - 2019
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
DO  - 10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
T2  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JF  - Central African Journal of Public Health
JO  - Central African Journal of Public Health
SP  - 316
EP  - 321
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-5781
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20190506.24
AB  - The Democratic Republic of the Congo is enduring; since 2018, its tenth and deadliest Ebola outbreak already over 2000 deaths have been claimed. Compliance to control measures relied on trust and the perception of the population. This study aimed at exploring the perception of people living in areas affected by the Ebola virus disease (EVD). This study was a descriptive qualitative study conducted in three health zones in three of the most affected districts: Katwa in Butembo city, Beni in Beni city and Mandima in Ituri Province. One hundred and three participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were conducted using a guide that included open-ended questions on: 1) Participants’ experience of the EDV; 2) Perception of the Ebola outbreak; 3) Perception of self-vulnerability; and 4) Perception of the effectiveness of control measures to stop the outbreak. Thematic analysis was used to report qualitative findings. The results of this study showed that participants’ experience of the EVD was through members (relatives, friends, neighbours…) of the community who were either infected or in contact with the virus. Their perception of the symptoms, the management and the outcomes of these episodes were keystone of the way in which they comprehended the disease. Some members of the community questioned the diagnosis since several cases did not develop haemorrhagic symptoms. Participants showed some confidence on their own vulnerability to the disease and were convinced, to some extent, that this outbreak could be stopped if those control measures were respected. However, the denial of the outbreak fueled by political distrust still remains challenging. We concluded that addressing the Ebola outbreak requires an adapted bottom-up communication that could help alleviate this lack of trust, improve community perception and therefore, of the disease.
VL  - 5
IS  - 6
ER  -

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