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Makali SL, Lembebu JC, Boroto R, Zalinga CC, Bugugu D, Lurhangire E, Rosine B, Chimanuka C, Mwene-Batu P, Molima C, Mendoza JR, Ferrari G, Merten S, Bisimwa G. Violence against health care workers in a crisis context: a mixed cross-sectional study in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Confl Health 2023; 17:44. [PMID: 37789323 PMCID: PMC10546691 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-023-00541-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health Care Workers (HCWs) in conflict zones face high levels of violence while also playing a crucial role in assisting the population in distress. For more than two decades, the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), have been wracked by conflict. This study aims to describe the state of violence against HCWs and the potential prevention mechanisms in eastern DRC. METHODS In North and South Kivu, between February 5 and 21, 2021, we conducted a mixed cross-sectional convergent study in health facilities (health centers and hospitals). An anonymized self-administered questionnaire was sent to HCWs about their experience of violence in the 12 months prior to the study. In-depth individual interviews with HCWs, present on the day of the investigation, were also done to explore their experience of violence. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and a thematic analysis of the qualitative data was carried out. RESULTS Of a total of 590 participants, 276 (45.9%) reported having experienced violence in the 12 months before the study. In North Kivu, aggressors were more frequently the patients (43.7% vs. 26.5%) and armed group members (14.3% vs. 7.9%) than in South Kivu. Most respondents (93.5%) reported verbal aggression (insults, intimidation, death threats). Other forms of physical aggression including with bare hands (11.2%), firearm (1.81%), and stabbing (4.7%). Only nearly one-tenth of the attacks were officially reported, and among those reported a higher proportion of sanctions was observed in South Kivu (8.5%) than in North Kivu (2.4%). The mechanisms proposed to prevent violence against HCWs were community initiatives and actions to strength the health system. CONCLUSIONS In Eastern DRC, HCWs face multiple and severe forms of aggression from a variety of individuals. The effects of such levels violence on HCWs and the communities they served could be devastating on the already pressured health system. Policy framework that defines the roles and responsibilities for the protection of HCWs and for the development and implementation of preparedness measures such as training on management of violence are possible solutions to this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Lwamushi Makali
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Centre de Connaissance en Santé en RDCongo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
| | - Jean Corneille Lembebu
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Raïssa Boroto
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Daniella Bugugu
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Emmanuel Lurhangire
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Bigirinama Rosine
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Christine Chimanuka
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Pacifique Mwene-Batu
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Kaziba, Kaziba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Christian Molima
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Giovanfrancesco Ferrari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Merten
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ghislain Bisimwa
- Ecole Régionale de Santé Publique, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Centre de Connaissance en Santé en RDCongo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Doshi RH, Garbern SC, Kulkarni S, Perera SM, Fleming MK, Muhayangabo RF, Ombeni AB, Tchoualeu DD, Kallay R, Song E, Powell J, Gainey M, Glenn B, Mutumwa RM, Hans Bateyi Mustafa S, Earle-Richardson G, Gao H, Abad N, Soke GN, Fitter DL, Hyde TB, Prybylski D, Levine AC, Jalloh MF, Mbong EN. Ebola vaccine uptake and attitudes among healthcare workers in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1080700. [PMID: 37559741 PMCID: PMC10408297 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1080700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction During the 2018-2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prevention and control measures, such as Ebola vaccination were challenging by community mistrust. We aimed to understand perceptions regarding Ebola vaccination and identify determinants of Ebola vaccine uptake among HCWs. Methods In March 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 438 HCWs from 100 randomly selected health facilities in three health zones (Butembo, Beni, Mabalako) affected by the 10th EVD outbreak in North Kivu, DRC. HCWs were eligible if they were ≥ 18 years and were working in a health facility during the outbreak. We used survey logistic regression to assess correlates of first-offer uptake (i.e., having received the vaccine the first time it was offered vs. after subsequent offers). Results Of the 438 HCWs enrolled in the study, 420 (95.8%) reported that they were eligible and offered an Ebola vaccine. Among those offered vaccination, self-reported uptake of the Ebola vaccine was 99.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) [98.5-99.4]), but first-offer uptake was 70.2% (95% CI [67.1, 73.5]). Nearly all HCWs (94.3%; 95% CI [92.7-95.5]) perceived themselves to be at risk of contracting EVD. The most common concern was that the vaccine would cause side effects (65.7%; 95% CI [61.4-69.7]). In the multivariable analysis, mistrust of the vaccine source or how the vaccine was produced decreased the odds of first-time uptake. Discussion Overall uptake of the Ebola vaccine was high among HCWs, but uptake at the first offer was substantially lower, which was associated with mistrust of the vaccine source. Future Ebola vaccination efforts should plan to make repeated vaccination offers to HCWs and address their underlying mistrust in the vaccines, which can, in turn, improve community uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena H. Doshi
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stephanie C. Garbern
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Shibani Kulkarni
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Monica K. Fleming
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Ruth Kallay
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Bailey Glenn
- James A. Ferguson Infectious Disease Program, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Giulia Earle-Richardson
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Hongjiang Gao
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Neetu Abad
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gnakub Norbert Soke
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - David L. Fitter
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Terri B. Hyde
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dimitri Prybylski
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Adam C. Levine
- International Medical Corps, Washington, DC, United States
- International Medical Corps, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Mohamed F. Jalloh
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Eta Ngole Mbong
- International Medical Corps, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
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Garbern SC, Perera SM, Mbong EN, Kulkarni S, Fleming MK, Ombeni AB, Muhayangabo RF, Tchoualeu DD, Kallay R, Song E, Powell J, Gainey M, Glenn B, Gao H, Mutumwa RM, Mustafa SHB, Abad N, Soke GN, Prybylski D, Doshi RH, Fukunaga R, Levine AC. COVID-19 Vaccine Perceptions among Ebola-Affected Communities in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:973. [PMID: 37243077 PMCID: PMC10223943 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Populations affected by humanitarian crises and emerging infectious disease outbreaks may have unique concerns and experiences that influence their perceptions toward vaccines. In March 2021, we conducted a survey to examine the perceptions toward COVID-19 vaccines and identify the factors associated with vaccine intention among 631 community members (CMs) and 438 healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by the 2018-2020 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify correlates of vaccine intention. Most HCWs (81.7%) and 53.6% of CMs felt at risk of contracting COVID-19; however, vaccine intention was low (27.6% CMs; 39.7% HCWs). In both groups, the perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, general vaccine confidence, and male sex were associated with the intention to get vaccinated, with security concerns preventing vaccine access being negatively associated. Among CMs, getting the Ebola vaccine was associated with the intention to get vaccinated (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.05-1.94). Among HCWs, concerns about new vaccines' safety and side effects (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57-0.91), religion's influence on health decisions (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.34-0.61), security concerns (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37-0.74), and governmental distrust (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.35-0.70) were negatively associated with vaccine perceptions. Enhanced community engagement and communication that address this population's concerns could help improve vaccine perceptions and vaccination decisions. These findings could facilitate the success of vaccine campaigns in North Kivu and similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Chow Garbern
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | | | - Eta Ngole Mbong
- International Medical Corps, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Shibani Kulkarni
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Monica K. Fleming
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ruth Kallay
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bailey Glenn
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
- James A. Ferguson Infectious Disease Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Hongjiang Gao
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | | | | | - Neetu Abad
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Gnakub Norbert Soke
- Division of Global Health Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Dimitri Prybylski
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Reena H. Doshi
- Global Immunization Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Rena Fukunaga
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Adam C. Levine
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Cénat JM, Broussard C, Darius WP, Onesi O, Auguste E, El Aouame AM, Ukwu G, Khodabocus SN, Labelle PR, Dalexis RD. Social mobilization, education, and prevention of the Ebola virus disease: A scoping review. Prev Med 2023; 166:107328. [PMID: 36356934 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) remains a global public health concern with multiple outbreaks over the last five years. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the current state of knowledge on awareness, education, and community mobilization programs on EVD prevention. A comprehensive search strategy was executed in October 2021 across eight databases (APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science). According to the PRISMA flow diagram, out of the 4815 studies generated by the search, 33 were retained for extraction and were included in this scoping review. Findings revealed that cultural practices that increased the risk of Ebola transmission remain very prevalent, even educational and awareness campaigns. Levels of Ebola-related knowledge by community members varied widely. A large proportion of the Ebola-affected populations were not aware of modes of transmission and half were unaware of signs and symptoms. Interventions with deep community mobilization, collaboration and engagement were effective in changing cultural practices, and reducing rates of infection. Interventions in the health sector helped increase willingness to practice preventive methods and the maintenance of social distancing and patient handwashing. A majority of the population members received their information about EVD from the community and mass media (in most instances, through broadcasting stations). Community interventions with a collaborative approach are effective to prevent EVD. It is needed to build trust between communities and health care, but also to use local resources and cultural factors combined with the use of technologies of information to prevent EVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jude Mary Cénat
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; University of Ottawa Research Chair on Black Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | | | - Olivia Onesi
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Gloria Ukwu
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Rose Darly Dalexis
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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McKay G, Baggio O, Camara CA, Erlach E, Robles Dios L, Checchi F, Rohan H. The response is like a big ship': community feedback as a case study of evidence uptake and use in the 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2021-005971. [PMID: 35197250 PMCID: PMC8867249 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) took place in the highly complex protracted crisis regions of North Kivu and Ituri. The Red Cross developed a community feedback (CF) data collection process through the work of hundreds of Red Cross personnel, who gathered unprompted feedback in order to inform the response coordination mechanism and decision-making. Aim To understand how a new CF system was used to make operational and strategic decisions by Ebola response leadership. Methods Qualitative data collection in November 2019 in Goma and Beni (DRC), including document review, observation of meetings and CF activities, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Findings The credibility and use of different evidence types was affected by the experiential and academic backgrounds of the consumers of that evidence. Ebola response decision-makers were often medics or epidemiologists who tended to view quantitative evidence as having more rigour than qualitative evidence. The process of taking in and using evidence in the Ebola response was affected by decision-makers’ bandwidth to parse large volumes of data coming from a range of different sources. The operationalisation of those data into decisions was hampered by the size of the response and an associated reduction in agility to new evidence. Conclusion CF data collection has both instrumental and intrinsic value for outbreak response and should be normalised as a critical data stream; however, a failure to act on those data can further frustrate communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian McKay
- Department of Global Health and Development, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ombretta Baggio
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Eva Erlach
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lucia Robles Dios
- The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Francesco Checchi
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hana Rohan
- UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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