Ebola crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: student-led community engagement.

ABSTRACT: The second largest outbreak of Ebolavirus is currently ongoing in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and is characterized by lack of compliance with recommended control measures. Trusted local health agents, including medical students, may be valuable social mobilizers in this challenging context. We report a student-led educational campaign to increase community awareness and engagement in EVD control efforts, with evaluation of student and community satisfaction. The outreach was conducted in November 2018, involving 600 students and reaching 5-10,000 community members. Key messages included: 'Ebola exists in Butembo' and 'Bring infected family members to the Ebola Treatment Unit.' Medical students (n = 355) and community participants (n = 319) evaluated the campaign. Satisfa

SUBMITTER: Masumbuko Claude K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7448907 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature