Behavioural Data Compilation #1
A rapid compilation of data analyses for November 2018 in the context of the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
behaviour change
Rapid Qualitative Research Methods During Complex Health Emergencies: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Technical tool
The 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa highlighted both the successes and limitations of social
science contributions to emergency response operations. An important limitation was the rapid and
effective communication of study findings. A systematic review was carried out to explore how rapid
qualitative methods have been used during global heath emergencies to understand which methods are
commonly used, how they are applied, and the difficulties faced by social science researchers in the field.
We also asses their value and benefit for health emergencies.
Coming of Age: Communication’s Role in Powering Global Health
Communication has been a consistent current running through many major health developments of recent years. And yet, despite the demonstrated promise of communication as a tool for improving public health, not enough has been done to date to capitalise upon its potential, particularly in the poorest parts of the world. Through a careful review of the evidence, this briefing offers a spirited case for why donors, practitioners and developing country governments need to pay more attention to the role of communication in tackling global health.The briefing finds that: Communication has been central to public health developments from Ebola to polio and from HIV to child survival.
While health policy officials recognise the importance of health communication, it often remains poorly funded, under-utilised and badly planned in public health programmes. Even when it does prioritise communication, public health programming often fails to reflect best practice around the role of social and behaviour change communications (SBCC).Progress has been stymied by the complexity of social and behaviour change communication,
Ebola – Traditional Healers, Witch Doctors, Burial Attendants
This helpdesk focuses on the impact of traditional healers, witch doctors and burial attendants on ebola in West Africa. It seeks to establish if there is a difference between witch doctors, herbalists and traditional healers in terms of when people see them and the kind of treatment they provide.
It goes on to explore the roles of these actors in preparing bodies for burial and at funerals. It provides information on secret societies. The report goes on to explore behaviour change. It provides information on payment of traditional healers as a leverage point.
Ebola- Local Beliefs and Behaviour Change
The Ebola epidemic ravaging parts of West Africa is the most severe acute public health emergency seen in modern times. Never before in recorded history has a biosafety level four pathogen infected so many people so quickly, over such a broad geographical area, for so long’ (Margaret Chan, 26th September 2014, WHO).This report focuses on the local beliefs and practices around illnesses and death, the transmission of disease and spirituality, which affect decision-making around health-seeking behaviour, caring for relatives and the nature of burials. It also considers how this can inform effective behaviour change interventions for preventing Ebola in Sierra Leone. Four key transmission pathways are considered; unsafe burial, not presenting early, care at home and visiting traditional healers.Indigenous beliefs and responses to Ebola are rarely mentioned and when they are images of ignorance, exoticism and superstition are what prevail (Hewlett and Hewlett 2008).
