Survey among survivors of the 1995 Ebola epidemic in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo: their feelings and experiences

Abstract

SummaryThis study describes experiences of the survivors of the 1995 Ebola epidemic in Kikwit, Democratic Republic of Congo. Most of the survivors in our sample had cared for a sick family member before becoming ill themselves, and most had never heard of Ebola before they developed symptoms and therefore did not suspect that they were infected by the virus. Fear, denial and shame were their principal initial feelings. After release from hospital, survivors were abandoned by family or friends more often than they had expected. Belief in god was an important aid to all of them. Their most negative experiences were witnessing other people dying in the isolation ward of the Kikwit General Hospital, and the reluctance of hospital personnel to treat them. During Ebola outbreaks more attention should be given to the psychosocial implications of such an epidemic. Information campaigns should include antidiscrimination messages and more psychosocial support should be given to patients and their families.

Ebola virus disease

“…15 Survivors and orphans of those who died from the disease face stigma and ostracism in many communities. This-along with substantial associated psychological disturbance-was reported after previous outbreaks, 83 84 and it is an increasing problem in the 2014 outbreak.…”

Early clinical sequelae of Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study

“…5−13 Disabling sequelae, including ocular, auditory, and arthritic symptoms, have been described in small studies from previous outbreaks. 7,[9][10][11]13 In the current outbreak, one qualitative study of 100 survivors in Sierra Leone reported blurred or partial loss of vision in convalescence but did not quantify these sequelae. 2 Surveys of 105 survivors in Guinea 14 and of 81 survivors in Sierra Leone 15 noted frequent musculoskeletal pain 14,15 and visual problems; 15 neither study included a clinical examination of survey participants.…”

The Role of Fear-Related Behaviors in the 2013–2016 West Africa Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak

“…Survivors frequently encountered stigma, rejection, and shunning at the hands of their own family members and neighbors [8, 24•, 29••, 77, 78]. As Rabelo et al summarized, “when EVD survivors returned home, the experience of being alive was both a gift and a burden” [29••].…”