The Experience of Control Measures for Individuals Affected by the Ebola Virus Disease in the North-eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2019

Authors
Paulin Beya Wa Bitadi Mutombo, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Fulbert Kwilu Nappa, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Pierre Akilimali Zalagile, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mapatano Mala Ali, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Désiré Mashinda Kulimba, 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

Abstract

To date, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is enduring its largest and longest Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. This study aimed at exploring the experiences of control measures of Ebola outbreak. This was a qualitative study conducted in three health zones in three districts, namely- Katwa in Butembo city, Beni in Beni city and Mandima in Ituri Province. Thirty-eight participants were purposively selected. In-depth interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to report qualitative findings. The results of this study showed that participants’ experience of the EVD was marked by fear, fatality and mistrust of the response team rooted in the pre-existing distrust of the national authorities. The majority of participants strongly denied the existence of the Ebola virus considering it either as a political ploy to exterminate one ethnic group or as a scheme exaggerated for materialistic reasons. As a result, they showed hostile perception of control measures particularly the vaccination of contacts. However, during previous Ebola outbreaks in the DRC a positive perception of those measures was shown. We then concluded that Addressing the Ebola outbreak requires an adapted bottom-up communication that could help alleviate this lack of trust.

Keywords
Ebola, Outbreak, Experience, Control Measures