Normalizing Trauma and Humanizing Fear: A Qualitative Assessment of Ebola Survivors and Social Challenges Open Access
Plumb, Caitlin (Spring 2022)
Published
Abstract
Background
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a devastating disease that leads to many physical and mental effects including vision and eye issues, joint pain, long-term immune dysfunction, inability to concentrate, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Survivors of the disease will also experience many social challenges after their recovery. Though negative social effects are recognized in existing literature, much of the current research does not focus on social challenges specifically. Therefore, this study seeks to close the gap in the literature by answering the research question “What social challenges do Ebola survivors in West and Central Africa experience after their recovery?”
Methods
This is a qualitative study utilizing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with health workers to answer the proposed research question. To be included in this study, participants must have been over 18 years of age and had previously worked with EVD survivors in the West or Central Africa Ebola responses in either a direct health care role or through a programmatic scope. From March 2021 to October 2021, 13 interviews were conducted over Zoom, with an average length of 40 minutes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically with MAXQDA.
Results
The sample for this study consisted of participants that worked in both direct health care and public health roles, many of them working in at least 5 separate responses. Participants worked in many different countries, including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and many different organizations, including the World Health Organization, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Partners in Health, and Red Cross. Results of this study were organized into four main themes, “Social Challenges Caused by Social Beliefs,” “Physical Effects of Disease Compounded by Social Effects,” “Uncertainty of Viral Persistence,” and “Elements for Future Programs.” Each main theme has at least one subtheme. For “Social Challenges Caused by Social Beliefs,” the subthemes include stigmatization, ostracization, community resentment, support and reintegration, and loss of identity. “Physical Effects of Disease Compounded by Social Effects” includes Ebola treatment unit experience, and “Uncertainty of Viral Persistence” includes Ebola as a sexually transmitted disease and education and general understanding of Ebola. Lastly, “Elements for Future Programs” included communication, beneficial partnerships, multi-level interventions, elements of existing programs, and current coping mechanisms.
Conclusion
With further understanding of the social challenges survivors experience and the factors that contribute to these challenges, future interventions and research can be focused on specific issues, to hopefully achieve higher success. By utilizing results of this study, steps can be taken to improve survivors’ quality of life and help them to truly recover from this horrific disease.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction 1
Chapter 2: Literature Review 10
Chapter 3: Student Contribution and Methodology 19
Chapter 4: Journal Article 25
Chapter 5: Public Health Implications 66
References 70
Appendices 77
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Normalizing Trauma and Humanizing Fear: A Qualitative Assessment of Ebola Survivors and Social Challenges () | 2022-04-20 13:39:56 -0400 |
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