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‘It was organized from the bottom’: the response from community-based institutions during the 2014 Ebola epidemic

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  • Franklin, Sabine Iva

Abstract

What was the turning point in the world's largest and deadliest outbreak of the Ebola virus disease? Public health interventions tend to focus on supply-side provision of public health goods. These goods are clinical resources such as medicine or equipment. However, no nation has enough resources to ‘treat’ its way out of a widespread epidemic. Behavioural changes, such as social distancing, are needed too. Behaviours are the demand-side of public health goods and if unaddressed, perpetuate disease transmission. Community-based institutions addressed demand-side barriers during the 2014 Ebola epidemic in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Sixty-seven interviews were conducted in several provinces in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The findings show that information asymmetry and collective action challenges lowered the demand for clinical resources. Community-based institutions intervened via health sensitization and emergency regulations. Therefore, health seeking and public cooperation improved. This research study demonstrates a need to integrate community-led action into public health emergency management.

Suggested Citation

  • Franklin, Sabine Iva, 2023. "‘It was organized from the bottom’: the response from community-based institutions during the 2014 Ebola epidemic," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(5), pages 635-650, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jinsec:v:19:y:2023:i:5:p:635-650_4
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