Social Sciences and Epidemics
This collection collates reports from the ‘Social Science in Epidemics’ series. In this series different aspects of past disease outbreaks are reviewed in order to identify social science ‘entry points’ for emergency interventions and preparedness activities. This evidence will come together to determine tangible ways to better address the social, political and economic dynamics of epidemics; and to ensure that interventions build on the social and cultural resources of the communities they aim to support.
Case study
Strengthening health information surveillance: Implementing community-based surveillance in Sudan
This case study explores the 2018–22 implementation of a national community-based surveillance programme in Sudan designed to meet critical needs of the existing health surveillance system.
Tools
Citizen ethnography in outbreak response: Guidance for establishing networks of researchers
This guidance outlines the steps for designing and implementing citizen-led ethnographic research, including those for recruitment, training and support of citizen researchers to collect and analyse ethnographic data, and how to transform the insights they gain to support preparedness and…

Case study
Enhancing Community Engagement Through Data Collection: Controlling the Cholera Epidemic in Mozambique
Case study focusing on post-cyclone cholera response activities

Briefing
Tools
Social science research for vaccine deployment in epidemic outbreaks
This Practical Approaches brief can be used to gain social science inputs in vaccine deployment efforts to provide practical solutions to recurring challenges, including vaccine refusal.

Briefing
Tools
Rapid appraisal of key health-seeking behaviours in epidemics
This Practical Approaches brief looks at how to identify health-seeking behaviours
![On 10 April 2020, Turusew Getahun, a social worker, works to identify, profile and register unaccompanied children and youths at the Civil Service University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The centre is being used to quarantine returnees to the country, amidst concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Many of the returnees had sought work in Saudi Arabia, were victims of human trafficking along the way, and were subject to captivity and deportation upon reaching Saudi Arabia.
All unaccompanied minors are classified as vulnerable migrants, which is the social workers, in addition to profiling and registering them, identify their needs, look for signs of abuse requiring follow-up services, and obtain information about their families. The latter information is important for initiating a detailed assessment, family tracing, and reunification. In cases where a reunification with the family is not possible, alternative care arrangements are explored in cooperation with social workers or community service workers in their places of origin. Turusew says she looks forward to reuniting the children with their families when the quarantine is over. In the meantime, she wants them to be protected from COVID-19 during their quarantine. “Although information [about COVID-19] is being given to all returnees, children require specific support and child-focused messaging to help them understand how to protect themselves from the virus,” she says.
As of 14 April 2020, Ethiopia has reported 82 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 3 deaths. In recent weeks the country has seen a surge of returnees to the country, due to the global situation. All returnees are now being placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine. The sudden surge in returnees is straining local capacities, especially the health system. Some 2,780 returnees have been registered and quarantined at various centers the government has set up in Addis Ababa. An additional 300 returnees per day are expected in the comi UNICEF/Tesfaye](https://www.socialscienceinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/UNI320537_Nahom-tesfaye-400x200.jpg)
Briefing
Tools
Rapid anthropological assessments in the field
This Practical Approaches brief explores data collection methods and question modules
![On 5 November, in the initial phases of U-Report's launch in Liberia, two adolescent girls who have been raising awareness of the technology among other youths record on paper the mobile numbers of new users, in the West Point neighbourhood of Monrovia, the capital. They used the traditional route of gathering new user data during a system outage. Part of the rollout process included identifying lingering glitches in the system. The adolescents are UNICEF-supported social mobilizers from the group Adolescents Leading an Intensive Fight against Ebola (A-LIFE); they underwent UNICEF training on U-Report and on how to use the technology to track data on EVD as well as on sexual health and teen pregnancy.
In November 2014, Liberia remains one of three countries in West Africa experiencing widespread and intense transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD). UNICEF continues to support social mobilization efforts to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and how to prevent its spread all of which are critical to curtailing the unprecedented outbreak. U-Report, a text-based communication platform previously developed by UNICEF, was customized and deployed for use within Liberias mobilization efforts. Using Short Message Service (SMS), U-Report allows individual subscribers to ask questions about issues, to get real-time answers and to share information with other users U-reporters across the country. By giving people a new and effective platform for communication, it is intended to strengthen community-led development, citizen engagement and behavioural change. [Note, this story captions applies to all images below.] UNICEF/Jallonzo](https://www.socialscienceinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/UNI174451_Med-Res-400x200.jpg)
Briefing
Tools
Rapid remote context analysis tool (RR-CAT) in epidemics
This SSHAP Practical Approaches brief underlines key considerations when appraising the context in which an outbreak occurs.

Case study
Real-Time Ebola Community Feedback Mechanism
Case study examining misinformation and mistrust in the Ebola epidemic

Case study
Understanding Sociocultural Dynamics to Enhance Control of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) Epidemics in Kenya
Case study addressing the issue of food shortage and economic losses

Case study
Balancing Burial Rituals with Public Health Demands During the 2014 Guinean Ebola Epidemic
Case study addressing resistance to Ebola response measures

Case study
Learning the Lessons of Crisis: Mobilising Knowledge During a Global Health Emergency
Case study addressing issues around knowledge sharing, focusing on the example of Ebola