Social Dynamics of Ebola Virus Disease: A Case of Bundibugyo District, Uganda
Loading...
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health
Abstract
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) presents with a high global mortality
and is known to be a highly infectious disease with devastating and gendered
effects on the social fabric, yet most of the science has focused on the
disease’s biology. However, little has been documented with regard to the
gender and social aspects of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in two sub counties
(Kikyo and Bundibugyo Town Council) in Bundibugyo District in Western
Uganda. The study was set to examine the gender differences in the level of
knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about EVD. Methods: The study employed
a cross-sectional design using both quantitative and qualitative data
collection methods. A structured questionnaire was administered to 254 respondents,
50% of whom were women. Simple random sampling was used to
select the participants. Questionnaire data were analysed using SPSS at univariate
and bivariate levels. Qualitative methods such as key informant interviews
(with 6 participants) and Focus Group Discussions (three, one with
men alone, another with women alone and the last one with both men and
women) were also used to collect additional information from participants.
Results: The findings indicated that socio-demographically, the majority (35%)
of the respondents were aged between 20 and 29 years, 53% of whom were
females. More women (about 56%) compared to men (44%) attained secondary
education while more men (about 51% versus 49% of the women) reported
that they were married. In terms of religion, the majority of the survey
participants were Catholics (59% females and 49% males). With regard to
communities’ knowledge about EVD, there was no significant relationship
between men and women in terms of prior knowledge about EVD, risk factors and control measures. However, slightly more males (about 51%) than
females (49%) had heard about EVD and more males (about 52%) than females
(48%) admitted that they were at risk of contracting the disease. On the
control measures, slightly more females than males (about 53% vs. 47% respectively)
proposed avoiding contact with infected persons. The results further
revealed that more males (about 51%) than females (49%) were willing to
relate with EVD survivors, and this was due to the latter’s fear of contracting
the disease. The major devastating effects of EVD that were reported included
loss of lives, disruption of peoples movements, isolation of people, disruption
of children’s school activities, stigma and discrimination of survivors. More
females (about 52%) than males (about 48%) reported that EVD survivors
were discriminated during the EVD outbreak in Bundibugyo District. Conclusions:
This study has shown that whereas both men and women demonstrate
average knowledge about EVD, there is need for more training and
sensitization targeting women who have delusions about the severity of the
disease, its risk factors, stigma and the integration of survivors in the affected
communities. Communities also need to be sensitized about the gender roles
that increase both the burden of EVD and the risk of men and women contracting
the disease. This will lead to more culturally sensitive responses to
EVD outbreaks in future.
Description
Keywords
Ebola Viral Disease (EVD), Gender, Bundibugyo District, Uganda
Citation
Kankya, C., Nabadda, D., Kabonesa, C., Nyakarahuka, L., Muleme, J., Okware, S. and Asaba, R. (2019) Social Dynamics of Ebola Virus Disease: A Case of Bundibugyo District, Uganda. Health, 11, 108-128. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2019.111011