Risk Communication and Ebola-Specific Knowledge and Behavior during 2014–2015 Outbreak, Sierra Leone

Winters, Maike; Jalloh, Mohamed F.; Sengeh, Paul; Jalloh, Mohammad B; Conteh, Lansana; Bunnell, Rebecca; Li, Wenshu; Zeebari, Zangin; Nordenstedt, Helena

doi:10.3201/eid2402.171028

Cited by 47 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Community sources such as religious and traditional leaders were mentioned by only 10% of the sample, which is low compared with the Ebola outbreak when 60% heard messages through community leaders. 28 This can be explained by the timing of our survey; sensitisation and community engagement efforts were just starting. Community leaders remain trusted sources of information in Sierra Leone and should be mobilised for community engagement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesTo assess the public’s knowledge, attitudes and practices about the novel coronavirus in Sierra Leone to inform an evidence-based communication strategy around COVID-19.DesignNationwide, cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey.Setting56 randomly selected communities in all 14 districts in Sierra Leone.Participants1253 adults aged 18 years and older of which 52% were men.Main outcome measuresWe calculated proportions of core indicators (awareness, knowledge, risk perception, practices). A composite variable for knowledge (based on seven variables) was created, and categorised into low (0–2 correct), medium (3–4) and high (5–7). Predictors of knowledge were analysed with multilevel ordinal regression models. Associations between information sources, knowledge and two practices (washing hands with soap and avoiding crowds) were analysed using multilevel logistic regression models.ResultsWe found that 75% of the respondents felt at moderate or great risk of contracting coronavirus. A majority (70%) of women did not know you can survive COVID-19, compared with 61% of men. 60% of men and 54% of women had already taken action to avoid infection with the coronavirus, mostly washing hands with soap and water (87%). Radio (73%) was the most used source for COVID-19 information, followed by social media (39%). Having a medium or high level of knowledge was associated with higher odds of washing hands with soap (medium knowledge: adjusted OR (AOR) 2.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.4; high knowledge: AOR 4.6, 95% CI 2.1 to 10.2) and avoiding crowds (medium knowledge: AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.6; high knowledge: AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.3).ConclusionsThis study shows that in the context of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, there is a strong association between knowledge and practices. Because the knowledge gap differs between genders, regions, educational levels and age, it is important that messages are specifically targeted to these core audiences.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey

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“…When the virus spread to the capital, there was an exponential increase in cases for a few weeks in November 2014, before the outbreak was under control and the number of new patients started to go down until the last cases were managed in January 2016. The interview guide was informed by quantitative data analysis looking at the association between information sources and Ebola-specific knowledge and behaviour in Sierra Leone [30]. The study found associations between information channels like radio and knowledge, protective behaviour and misconceptions about the virus [30].…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The interview guide was informed by quantitative data analysis looking at the association between information sources and Ebola-specific knowledge and behaviour in Sierra Leone [30]. The study found associations between information channels like radio and knowledge, protective behaviour and misconceptions about the virus [30]. The semi-structured interviews followed an interview guide, containing questions about journalists' awareness of Ebola before the outbreak, as well as questions about experiences, information sources, knowledge and behaviour during the outbreak.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reporting in a health emergency: The roles of Sierra Leonean journalists during the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak

Winters¹,

Nordenstedt²,

Alvesson³

2020

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Introduction In public health emergencies, local media are important sources of information for the public. Not much is known about the professional and personal roles and experiences of Sierra Leonean journalists during the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak between 2014-2015. Methods/Principal findings This qualitative study is based on semi-structured interviews with 13 Sierra Leonean journalists based in urban Freetown and rural Waterloo in February and March 2016. The majority of the journalists worked for radio stations. The mostly male journalists represented national, regional and local radio stations. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis was inspired by previously reported journalist roles and agenda-setting theory, which state that the media filter what is happening, making a few core issues more salient. Sierra Leonean journalists shifted from being sceptical monitors in the beginning of the outbreak, to collaborative instructors towards the end. While they adapted to different roles, journalists struggled with their own fears for the virus, which hampered their work. They indicated that the training they received about Ebola helped them overcome their fear. Being trained gave a sense of security that helped them carry out their jobs. By turning into instructors, journalists stepped away from their journalistic professional detachment-potentially exacerbated by their personal experiences. Conclusion/Significance The first months of the outbreak were marked by passive agenda-setting roles of Sierra Leonean journalists. It took several months before the outbreak became a core issue in local media. In health emergencies, efforts should be made to partner with local media to use their platforms for local, trusted journalists and leaders to disseminate public health messages. Whereas this might hamper journalists' credibility and can be challenging in areas with problematic press freedom, Sierra Leonean journalists experienced the outbreak as a driver of necessary change in their profession.

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“…Risk communication and social mobilization interventions aimed to inform and engage the public to elicit the desired behavioural change. Previous research in Sierra Leone found that exposure to information sources was associated with increased Ebola-specific knowledge and protective behaviours [15]. Risk perception is thought to be an important determinant of behaviour change [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk perception during the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone

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Background Perceived susceptibility to a disease threat (risk perception) can influence protective behaviour. This study aims to determine how exposure to information sources, knowledge and behaviours potentially influenced risk perceptions during the 2014–2015 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Sierra Leone. Methods The study is based on three cross-sectional, national surveys (August 2014, n = 1413; October 2014, n = 2086; December 2014, n = 3540) that measured Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Sierra Leone. Data were pooled and composite variables were created for knowledge, misconceptions and three Ebola-specific behaviours. Risk perception was measured using a Likert-item and dichotomised into ‘no risk perception’ and ‘some risk perception’. Exposure to five information sources was dichotomised into a binary variable for exposed and unexposed. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to examine various associations. Results Exposure to new media (e.g. internet) and community-level information sources (e.g. religious leaders) were positively associated with expressing risk perception. Ebola-specific knowledge and hand washing were positively associated with expressing risk perception (Adjusted OR [AOR] 1.4, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.2–1.8 and AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7 respectively), whereas misconceptions and avoiding burials were negatively associated with risk perception, (AOR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6–0.8 and AOR 0.8, 95% CI 06–1.0, respectively). Conclusions Our results illustrate the complexity of how individuals perceived their Ebola acquisition risk based on the way they received information, what they knew about Ebola, and actions they took to protect themselves. Community-level information sources may help to align the public’s perceived risk with their actual epidemiological risk. As part of global health security efforts, increased investments are needed for community-level engagements that allow for two-way communication during health emergencies.

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Risk Communication and Ebola-Specific Knowledge and Behavior during 2014–2015 Outbreak, Sierra Leone

Cited by 47 publications

References 24 publications

Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey

Community knowledge, perceptions and practices around COVID-19 in Sierra Leone: a nationwide, cross-sectional survey

Reporting in a health emergency: The roles of Sierra Leonean journalists during the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak

Risk perception during the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone

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