Reference no: EM133911736

Question

Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Case Study 2, N452 Ebola is a serious communicable disease that is transmitted to people from animals, and is fatal in about 50% of cases. It spreads in human populations through direct contact with body fluids of infected people, including breast milk and semen, or surfaces contaminated with infected body fluids. Body fluids of those who have died remain infectious for many days after death. Up to 75% of those who die from Ebola are women. Ebola has been a recurring problem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the most recent outbreak in North Kivu in February, 2021. Because of long-lasting poverty and lack of health care efficiency in the DRC, healthcare is not guaranteed for its citizens and medical costs can be prohibitive. Most people associate Ebola with the dramatic late-stage symptoms, rather than the first signs, which can easily be confused with other illnesses. When people went for treatment, and died very suddenly, it was assumed that the death was caused by witchcraft. Local Congolese customs require that family members wash and prepare a body for burial. Funeral rites include direct touching of the body, and distribution of the deceased personal property. Funeral rituals, as well as care for the sick, are usually performed by women. Congolese men are providers for their families, and are responsible for hunting for bush meat for food. Men also take the lead in community initiatives, dominating discussions and participation in health related strategies. Because of fear of the disease, Ebola victims are subject to stigma and shunning by the local community. This can cause families of those sick with Ebola to hide the infected relatives, and to stay at home themselves. They do not want anyone to know about the Ebola infection in their homes. Traditional healers have significant power within local communities to advocate for treatment and prevention efforts, and are often the first point of contact for the health care system. They are an important source of health information, both accurate and inaccurate, in local communities. Skolnik, R. (2016). Global Health 101, 3rd Ed. Burlington, Mass: Jones and Bartlett

1. In the case study, what behaviours or practices contribute to Ebola outbreaks? Explain how the culture in the DRC impacts on the spread of the Ebola virus.

2. You are health care officials with the DRC department of health. Because you believe that prevention is the most cost effective and efficient way of dealing with communicable diseases, you want to influence Congolese communities to adopt/change behaviours to prevent outbreaks of Ebola. Describe a behaviour change model, and approaches that would be helpful to influence the community to change behaviours relating to Ebola outbreaks.

3. Explain why the health behaviour change model and approache(s) you chose would be effective in a community in the DRC.