The Response to and Impact of the Ebola Epidemic: Towards an Agenda for Interdisciplinary Research

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 SSPSSR, University of Kent, Kent, UK

2 Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent, Kent, UK

3 Département Santé Publique, Université UGAN Conakry and FOSAD Health and Sustainable Development Foundation and CEFORPAG Center of Excellence for Training, Research on Malaria & Priority Diseases in Guinea, Conakry, Guinea

4 FOSAD Health and Sustainable Development Foundation and CEFORPAG Center of Excellence for Training, Research on Malaria & Priority Diseases in Guinea, Conakry, Guinea

5 School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Kent, UK

Abstract

Background
The 2013-2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa was the largest in history and resulted in a huge public health burden and significant social and economic impact in those countries most affected. Its size, duration and geographical spread presents important opportunities for research than might help national and global health and social care systems to better prepare for and respond to future outbreaks. This paper examines research needs and research priorities from the perspective of those who directly experienced the EVD epidemic in Guinea.
 
Methods
The paper reports the findings from a research scoping exercise conducted in Guinea in 2017. This exercise explored the need for health and social care research, and identified research gaps, from the perspectives of different groups. Interviews were carried out with key stakeholders such as representatives of the Ministry of Health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic and health service researchers and members of research ethics committees (N = 15); health practitioners (N = 12) and community representatives (N = 11). Discussion groups were conducted with male and female EVD survivors (N = 24) from two distinct communities.
 
Results
This research scoping exercise identified seven key questions for further research. An important research priority that emerged during this study was the need to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the wider social, economic and political impact of the epidemic on the country, communities and survivors. The social and cultural dynamics of the epidemic and the local, national and international response to it need to be better understood. Many survivors and their relatives continue to experience stigma and social isolation and have a number of complex unmet needs. It is important to understand what sort of support they need, and how that might best be provided. A better understanding of the virus and the long-term health and social implications for survivors and non-infected survivors is also needed.
 
Conclusion
This study identified a need and priority for interdisciplinary research focusing on the long-term sociocultural, economic and health impact of the EVD epidemic. Experiences of survivors and other non-infected members of the community still need to be explored but in this broader context.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 30 March 2017
  • Revise Date: 10 July 2017
  • Accept Date: 20 August 2017
  • First Publish Date: 01 May 2018

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