A messaging strategy to promote Ebola treatment-seeking behaviour in Sierra Leone
This study developed a set of Ebola messages based on the findings of qualitative research conducted in ‘hotspot’ areas of rural and urban Sierra Leone. The messages respond directly to community concerns about various aspects of the Ebola response and about Ebola itself.
Over the course of the West African Ebola epidemic, many people have avoided going for treatment. One reason for this has been a lack of trust in the health system, and, with sick people being cared for at home, the result has been the continued spread of the virus through the community.
This project took an applied anthropological approach to developing messages designed to encourage people in Sierra Leone, who think that they or members of their family may have Ebola, to go for treatment. Through trusted messengers from within the community, the messages seek to allay people’s concerns about the health system. We have also identified critical operational issues that need to be addressed within the health system if trust in the services is to be restored.
Title of Project
Development of a social marketing strategy to promote Ebola treatment-seeking behaviour in Sierra Leone
Project Period
01/15/2015 - 04/15/2015
Subject areas
Public health science
Head of research
John Kinsman, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine
