Behind enemy lines: A perspective on Ebola from Sierra Leone. How the use of interpersonal communication made a difference in the fight against Ebola (An operational intervention)

The outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was first reported in a border town and rural community in the Kailahun district, eastern province of Sierra Leone. Any thought of the outbreak spreading to other parts and eventually engulf the country was seen as a myth. Within three months of the outbreak, the EVD was evident everywhere. Death and fear engulf the minds of everyone. The government and international partners invested lots of resources public health infrastructure and communication to end the outbreak. Mass media was mainly used to get out health messages on EVD to create a behavior change and end the transmission of the virus. While it was able to reach larger number of people, it was less successful in rural communities with high illiteracy level and culturally sensitive. Denial and resistance to prevention strategies was evident. The sick were not reported but cared for at home, the dead unsafely buried. With a team of volunteers recruited from the community, we embarked on using the interpersonal communication approach. A face-to-face interaction between staff and the people observing cultural values we reach out, educate, and support them. By creating a relationship with the people, we were welcome and our messages received. A positive impact was made in the minds and behavior of the people.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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