51茶馆

Abstract

Communication and social mobilisation strategies to raise awareness about Ebola virus disease and the risk factors for its transmission are central elements in the response to the current Ebola outbreak in west Africa. A principle underpinning these efforts is to change risky 鈥渂ehaviour鈥� related to 鈥渢raditional鈥� practices and 鈥渕isinformation鈥�. Populations at risk of contracting Ebola virus disease have been exhorted to 鈥減ut aside, tradition, culture and whatever family rites they have and do the right thing鈥�. Messages designed to correct perceived misunderstandings include: 鈥淓bola is caused by a virus. Ebola is not caused by a curse or by withcraft鈥�; 鈥渟cience and medicine are our only hope鈥�; and 鈥渢raditions kill鈥�.

Citation

Clare Chandler , James Fairhead, Ann Kelly, Melissa Leach, Frederick Martineau, Esther Mokuwa, Melissa Parker, Paul Richards, Annie Wilkinson : Ebola: the Limitations of correcting misinformation. The Lancet Volume 385, Issue 9975, 4鈥�10 April 2015, Pages 1275-1277 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)62382-5

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