The Impact of Various Promotional Activities on Ebola Prevention Behaviors and Psychosocial Factors Predicting Ebola Prevention Behaviors in the Gambia Evaluation of Ebola Prevention Promotions

Anna E. Gamma, Jurgita Slekiene and Hans-Joachim Mosler
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Anna E. Gamma: EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
Jurgita Slekiene: EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland
Hans-Joachim Mosler: EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: The outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) from 2014 to 2016 is over. However, several outbreaks of contagious diseases have already arisen and will recur. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EVD prevention promotions in the Gambia and to assess the psychosocial factors that steer three behaviors: handwashing with soap, calling the Ebola Hotline, and not touching a person who might be suffering from EVD. In 2015, data were gathered from 498 primary care providers. The questionnaire was based on psychosocial factors from the risks, attitudes, norms, abilities, and self-regulation (RANAS) model. Three promotional activities were significantly associated with psychosocial factors of handwashing and, thus, with increased handwashing behavior: the home visit, posters, and info sheets. Norm factors, especially the perception of what other people do, had a great impact on handwashing with soap and on calling the Ebola Hotline. The perceived certainty that a behavior will prevent a disease was a predictor for all three protection behaviors. Commitment to the behavior emerged as especially relevant for the intention to call the Ebola Hotline and for not touching a person who might be suffering from EVD. Health behavior change programs should rely on evidence to target the right psychosocial factors and to maximize their effects on prevention behaviors, especially in emergency contexts.

Keywords: Ebola virus disease (EVD) prevention; behavior change; psychosocial factors; RANAS model; handwashing with soap; emergencies and outbreaks; mediation analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:11:p:2020-:d:237758

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