Stability Analysis on the Spread of the Ebola Virus Considering Changes in Human Behavior and Climate (Case Study: Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Abstract Background Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a deadly and feared infectious disease, which can be responsible of debilitating physical and psychological sequelae in survivors including depression and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, there are scarce data on survivor sequelae in Democratic Republic of the Congo. So this study assessed PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms among EVD survivors enrolled in the follow-up program of the psychosocial care team of Beni town’s general hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study used consecutive sampling to recruit 144 Ebola virus disease survivors who came for follow up from October 23 to November 13; 2019. Basic socio-demographic data, presence of headache and short-term memory function were assessed. The Post-traumatic Checklist Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess psychological burden among participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarized data and Pearson’s or likelihood chi-square were used to test association between psychiatric disorders and associated factors. Results The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety was 24.3, 24.3 and 33.3% respectively. Being male (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.95, p = 0.049), suffering from persistent headache (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014), losing a loved one because of EVD (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.15, p = 0. 015) and being young − 18-24 years - (OR: 0. 261, 95% CI: 0. 08, 0.82, p = 0,026) were statistically associated with PTSD diagnosis. Having short-term memory impairment and suffering from persistent headache were statistically associated with depression and anxiety diagnoses (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.82, p = 0.026); (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.85, p = 0.025); (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014); (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.06, 5.01, p = 0.020). Conclusion The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety is high among EVD survivors. Development of specialized psychiatric services to sustain psychiatric and psychological health amongst survivors in the cultural context of the Eastern part of the DRC should be considered by the teams fighting against EVD in the DRC.

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National-scale estimation of gross forest aboveground carbon loss: a case study of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Environmental Research Letters ◽

10.1088/1748-9326/8/4/044039 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 044039 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

A Tyukavina ◽

S V Stehman ◽

P V Potapov ◽

S A Turubanova ◽

A Baccini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Democratic Republic ◽

National Scale ◽

Carbon Loss ◽

Scale Estimation ◽

Aboveground Carbon ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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Possible Seasonal Pattern of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Epidemiology Open Access ◽

10.4172/2161-1165.1000245 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Diego Mpia Elenge

Keyword(s):

Ebola Virus ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Ebola Virus Disease ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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Cost-effectiveness of caesarean sections in a post-conflict environment: a case study of Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Disasters ◽

10.1111/disa.12015 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 37 ◽

pp. S105-S120 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Danielle Deboutte ◽

Tim O'Dempsey ◽

Gillian Mann ◽

Brian Faragher

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Post Conflict ◽

Republic Of The Congo

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1666. Community Beliefs about Ebola and Implications for Disease Control in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.1530 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S609-S609

Author(s):

Qaasim Mian ◽

Kasereka Masumbuko Claude ◽

Michael Hawkes

Keyword(s):

Ebola Virus ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Traditional Healers ◽

Control Measures ◽

Community Members ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Modes Of Transmission ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Republic Of The Congo

Abstract Background The current Ebola epidemic in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,300 cases and 800 deaths. Social resistance is a major barrier to control efforts, and invites an exploration of community beliefs around Ebola and its origins. Methods Mixed-methods study, using focus group discussions (FGDs) with key community informants and a 19-item survey questionnaire broadly sampling the outbreak zone. Results Between 4 to 17 August, 2018, we conducted 4 FGDs (20 participants) and surveyed 286 community members across Eastern DRC. FGDs revealed a widespread rumor in Mangina early in the epidemic of two twins bewitched by their aunt after eating her cat, who developed bleeding symptoms and triggered the epidemic. However, this myth appeared to dissipate as the epidemic progressed and biomedical transmission became generally accepted (medical syncretism). In our survey, 6% of respondents endorsed supernatural origins of Ebola. This subgroup did not differ from other respondents in terms of knowledge of biomedical modes of transmission or resistant attitudes toward infection control measures, but was more likely to believe that traditional healers could cure Ebola. Wild animals of the forest were recognized as sources of the Ebola virus by 53% of survey respondents. Our findings suggest that skepticism and/or denial of the biomedical discourse, coupled with and mistrust and fear of ETUs may fuel “underground” transmission of Ebola outside western-style medical facilities, as patients seek care from traditional healers, who are ill-equipped to deal with a highly contagious biohazard. Conclusion A deeper understanding of beliefs around Ebola origins may illuminate strategies to engage communities in control efforts. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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