This report is the third instalment of the ‘Social Science in Epidemics’ series, commissioned by the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Direct Assistance (OFDA). In this series, past outbreaks are reviewed in order to identify social science ‘entry points’ for emergency interventions and preparedness activities. The aim is to determine tangible ways to address the […]
Engagement and communication
Understanding the perspectives and priorities of different groups vulnerable to and/or responding to epidemics and how to support dialogue-based response strategies.
57 documents
Dynamique Transfrontalière Ouganda-RDC
Cette note stratégique résume les considérations clés relatives à la dynamique transfrontalière entre l’Ouganda et la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) dans le contexte de la flambée épidémique d’Ébola survenue dans le Nord-Kivu et dans les provinces environnantes, en décembre 2018. D’autres enquêtes participatives doivent être menées auprès des populations touchées, mais au vu de […]
Uganda-DRC Cross-Border Dynamics
This brief summarises key considerations concerning cross-border dynamics between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the context of the outbreak of Ebola in North Kivu and surrounding provinces, December 2018. Further participatory enquiry should be undertaken, but given ongoing transmission, conveying key considerations and immediate recommendations related to community engagement have been […]
The Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia: Improving Community Awareness for Disease Surveillance
At the time of the 2014–2015 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak, Liberia was still recovering from years of civil war and unrest. The country’s infrastructure was very poor, especially in rural regions, where people could not easily travel because of the lack of adequate roads. Liberia’s health system was also weakened by the civil war, leaving health facilities struggling to respond to the EVD outbreak […]
World Health Organization Weekly Epidemiological Record: Special Edition on Ebola
Although social scientists have long worked in public health emergencies, the value of including social science intelligence in response strategies became highly visible during the epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014–2016. The key application of social science is to contextualise the response, which should be done in 2 ways. First, by understanding important features of the […]
Social Science and Behavioural Data Compilation – November 2018
This rapid compilation of data analyses provides a ‘stock-take’ of social science and behavioural data related to the outbreak of Ebola in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Based on data gathered and analysed by organisations working in the region, we aimed to explore convergences and divergences between datasets and, when possible, differences by geographic area, […]
Social Science in Epidemics: Ebola Virus Disease Lessons Learned
This report is the second instalment of the ‘Social Science in Epidemics’ series, commissioned by the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Direct Assistance (OFDA). In this series past outbreaks are reviewed in order to identify social science ‘entry points’ for emergency interventions and preparedness activities. The aim is to determine tangible ways to address the […]
Social Science in Epidemics: Cholera Lessons Learned
This report is the first instalment of the ‘Social Science in Epidemics’ series, commissioned by the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Direct Assistance (OFDA). In this series, past outbreaks are reviewed in order to identify social science ‘entry points’ for emergency interventions and preparedness activities. The aim is to determine tangible ways to address the […]
Cultural Practices on Burial and Care for the Sick in South Sudan
Literature on cultural practices for burial and care for the sick among individual ethnic groups in South Sudan was very limited. However, it clearly points to the importance of proper burials among all ethnic groups: these typically entail washing the body of the deceased; it can take several days before burial takes place; and graves […]
Key Considerations: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, North Kivu, DRC
Key considerations: mental health and psychosocial support, North Kivu, DRC This brief summarises key mental health and psychosocial support considerations in relation to the response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, DRC in August 2018. The brief was last updated on 3 October 2018. The brief is based on a rapid […]
