Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41965708›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Perceptions, Preparedness, and Anticipated Challenges of Healthcare Workers and Communities for Potential Marburg virus outbreaks in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia, 2025: a qualitative case study.

Esayas Tadele Berkesa, Naol Gonfa Serbesa, Muluken Mussie, Shuma Gosha Kanfe, Hiwot Aynalem Tiumelisan

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Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Esayas Tadele BerkesaDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia. esayastadele99@gmail.com.
Naol Gonfa SerbesaDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
Muluken MussieSchool of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
Shuma Gosha KanfeDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Mattu, Ethiopia.
Hiwot Aynalem TiumelisanDepartment of Population and Family Health, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. hiwotaynalem4@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSince 1967, 18 outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD) have been reported globally, with 722 cases and 325 having detailed clinical data. Ethiopia became the sixth country in five years to confirm an outbreak, reporting eight cases and four deaths. Despite this, little is known about the perceptions, preparedness, and Challenges of health workers and communities toward MVD. This study explored their Perception, readiness, and anticipated challenges in South Omo, Southern Ethiopia.

methodsAn exploratory qualitative case study was conducted from November 16–23, 2025, in and around Jinka General Hospital and four nearby health centers. Thirteen key informants and three focus groups (27 participants) were purposively selected. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, transcribed, and thematically analyzed with ATLAS.ti 7.1.4. Triangulation, peer debriefing, and participant validation ensured credibility. Ethical approval and written consent were obtained from Mattu University IRB and participants.

resultsFive themes emerged: limited awareness, poor logistics, weak preparedness, cultural barriers, and recommended strategies. Shortages of PPE, training gaps, road closures, and fear undermined readiness. Communities underestimated risk and were influenced by cultural and traditional practices. Key challenges included stigma, weak coordination, and poor diagnostic capacity. Participants highlighted continuous training, effective communication, and strong government support as crucial for preparedness. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Overall preparedness for MVD was low despite awareness. Strengthening communication, regular training, reliable logistics, and culturally sensitive engagement are vital. Collaborative government–community action is essential to enhance resilience against future outbreaks.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PersonnelMarburg Virus DiseaseAdultEthiopiaFemaleFocus GroupsHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchEthiopiaMarburg virus diseasePerceptionPreparednessQualitative studySouth Omo

Identifiers

PMID41965708
PMCPMC13196193

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.