2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
| Project/Area Number |
19K19467
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| Research Institution | Okayama University |
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Principal Investigator |
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | Rumors; / Socio-cultural problem; / Ebola business; / Distrust of authorities; / Community mistrust; / Trust-building; / Ebola conspiracy theory; / Poverty; |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
We analyzed quantitative data (data on Ebola-KAP during the peak phase) and published one article in a peer-reviewed Journal.
We were able to demonstrate that communities affected by Ebola in Africa, generally, and in Congo DR specifically, require more comprehensive knowledge about Ebola. For a better preparedness of future outbreaks in Congo DR, misconceptions and risk behaviors about Ebola must be addressed.
For instance, in Congo DR, burial practices where people touch Ebola-infected corpses are common. Although people in Ebola-affected areas know that Ebola can be transmitted from human to human, some have admitted they would wash and handle the corpse of a family member who died from Ebola.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
4: Progress in research has been delayed.
Reason
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from doing surveys on Ebola-KAP in two regional blocks in 2021 (Kongo Central and Katanga) after the peak of the outbreak (to determine the level of confidence in the healthcare system).
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
2020: Continue analyzing quantitative data and writing manuscripts. In five regional blocks (Kongo central, Katanga, Kasai, Kisangani, and Kivu), we will conduct surveys of the Ebola-KAP after the outbreak peak to gauge public confidence in the health system after the outbreak peak.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Honorarium for data collectors in five regional blocks (Kongo central, Katanga, Kasai, Kisangani, and Kivu) for "Post-Ebola KAP"; honorarium for data cleansers (double checking data); and article publishing charge for our next manuscripts.
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