ArticleBMC public health2020
Risk perception during the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
Article in BMC public health, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Public and health professional epidemic risk perceptions in countries that are highly vulnerable to epidemics: a systematic review.Infectious diseases of poverty · 2022Pooled it
- Lessons learned from approaches in COVID-19 risk Communication and community engagement in Malawi: an exploratory study.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2025Article
- Salience and perceptions of epidemic-prone diseases in two communities: Findings from freelisting interviews in Khartoum State, Sudan.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Perceived drivers of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Mubende and Kassanda districts, Uganda: a qualitative study.BMJ public health · 2024Article
- Factors influencing risk perception during Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC): a scoping review.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Unraveling the effects of the Ebola experience on behavior choices during COVID-19 in Liberia: a mixed-methods study across successive outbreaks.BMC global and public health · 2024Article
- The relationship between risk perception, anxiety and paranoia - A predictive model in a community sample.Journal of mood and anxiety disorders · 2024Article
- Caregiver acceptance of malaria vaccination for children under 5 years of age and associated factors: cross-sectional household survey, Guinea and Sierra Leone, 2022.Malaria journal · 2023Article
- Trusting the Health System and COVID 19 Restriction Compliance.Economics and human biology · 2023Article
- Associations between Awareness of the Risk of Exposure to Pollutants Occurring at Fire Scenes and Health Beliefs among Metropolitan Firefighters in the Republic of Korea.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Contextual wellness in the age of COVID-19: Managing disproportionate pandemic anxiety and stress in Australia, Singapore and other nations achieving disease control success.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2022Article
- Estimation of Ebola's spillover infection exposure in Sierra Leone based on sociodemographic and economic factors.PloS one · 2022Article
- Attitudes towards Monkeypox vaccination and predictors of vaccination intentions among the US general public.PloS one · 2022Article
- Self-efficacy and mental health problems during COVID-19 pandemic: A multiple mediation model based on the Health Belief Model.Personality and individual differences · 2021Article
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Abstract
backgroundPerceived susceptibility to a disease threat (risk perception) can influence protective behaviour. This study aims to determine how exposure to information sources, knowledge and behaviours potentially influenced risk perceptions during the 2014-2015 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Sierra Leone.
methodsThe study is based on three cross-sectional, national surveys (August 2014, n = 1413; October 2014, n = 2086; December 2014, n = 3540) that measured Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Sierra Leone. Data were pooled and composite variables were created for knowledge, misconceptions and three Ebola-specific behaviours. Risk perception was measured using a Likert-item and dichotomised into 'no risk perception' and 'some risk perception'. Exposure to five information sources was dichotomised into a binary variable for exposed and unexposed. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to examine various associations.
resultsExposure to new media (e.g. internet) and community-level information sources (e.g. religious leaders) were positively associated with expressing risk perception. Ebola-specific knowledge and hand washing were positively associated with expressing risk perception (Adjusted OR [AOR] 1.4, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.2-1.8 and AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7 respectively), whereas misconceptions and avoiding burials were negatively associated with risk perception, (AOR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.8 and AOR 0.8, 95% CI 06-1.0, respectively).
conclusionsOur results illustrate the complexity of how individuals perceived their Ebola acquisition risk based on the way they received information, what they knew about Ebola, and actions they took to protect themselves. Community-level information sources may help to align the public's perceived risk with their actual epidemiological risk. As part of global health security efforts, increased investments are needed for community-level engagements that allow for two-way communication during health emergencies.
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