Contextualizing mobility during the Ebola epidemic in Liberia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Science

Background:

• The 2014-2016 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic highlighted the critical role of human mobility in disease transmission.
• Understanding the drivers of population movement during outbreaks is essential for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the key factors influencing travel motivations during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic in Liberia.
• To analyze the relationship between mobility patterns and EVD response efforts.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing focus groups and key informant interviews.
• Data collected from five sites in Liberia between 2018 and 2019.

Main Results:

• Mobility during the EVD epidemic was multifaceted, driven by fear of stigmatization, seeking safer locations with family, and fulfilling social obligations like burials.
• Concerns about food security and livelihood compelled individuals to travel, sometimes evading quarantine measures.
• Stigma, fear, and basic needs significantly impacted population movement and EVD containment.

Conclusions:

• Future infectious disease responses must integrate context-specific mobility factors.
• Personalized public health messaging, community-led surveillance, and local support for quarantined individuals can mitigate negative mobility impacts.
• Engaging community leaders and addressing socio-economic needs are vital for effective epidemic control and reducing stigmatization.