Gendered socioeconomic impacts of emerging infectious diseases: Insights from a mixed-methods study in Guinea

This study examines the gendered socioeconomic impacts of infectious disease outbreaks, including both epidemics (e.g., yellow fever, Ebola, Marburg and Mpox) and pandemics (e.g., COVID-19), on populations in Guinea, using data from the Decentralize and Operationalize One Health Platforms (DOPERAUS) project. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative survey data (N = 906) from participants aged 18 and over and qualitative data from an open-ended questionnaire answered by 508 respondents to capture both measurable outcomes and nuanced experiences. Sampling accounted for gender, age, and vulnerable populations. Analyses incorporated descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, and thematic coding of qualitative data. Findings reveal gendered disparities in how socioeconomic impacts are experienced during infectious disease outbreaks. Women disproportionately bore caregiving and household management responsibilities and were more affected by income loss and reduced market access, as many reported being unable to sell their goods in the qualitative data. Men were more affected by income loss and disruptions to traditional gender roles based on the quantitative data. Vulnerability was also shaped by age and occupational status, with adults aged 30-49 and those in informal or precarious employment experiencing heightened economic and social stress. Women frequently relied on informal borrowing and community support to cope with financial strain, highlighting structural gaps in social protection systems. These results underscore the intersectional nature of infectious disease outbreaks impacts, showing that gender alone does not fully explain vulnerability. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating social science perspectives into the One Health approach. Understanding household dynamics, community roles, and economic inequalities is essential for designing effective and equitable outbreak preparedness and response strategies.