Impact of a Video-based Intervention on Knowledge and Attitudes of Ebola Prevention and Care in Rural Republic of Congo, 2007–2010

Ebola is a zoonotic disease first identified in 1976 in Congo-Kinshasa. Human infection is characterized by fever followed by headache, malaise, muscle pain, fatigue and/or diarrhea. An educational intervention consisting of a film followed by a structured discussion was developed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors for prevention and care of people with Ebola. Methods and Materials: The film was produced for a Congolese audience in Lingala and in French; features doctors and affected residents from the region. To facilitate outreach in remote areas portable projection equipment was used. In 2007 the intervention was implemented and 300 individuals were surveyed. After one year 53 were selected to participate in a post intervention evaluation surveys in order to document changes in knowledge and attitudes of Ebola prevention and care. Results: 32.1% of respondents received the INCEF Ebola education within the past year while 65.2% received another education. A greater proportion of respondents who received INCEF education knew that humans could transmit Ebola (100% vs. 67.7%), identified at least 1 symptom of Ebola (100% vs. 41.2%), knew there is no cure for Ebola (100% vs. 52.9%), and correctly identified how to handle the remains of a victim (76.5% vs. 73.5%). Conclusion: This method of health communication is effective in increasing knowledge of disease prevention and care. This study demonstrates retention of knowledge is high one year after exposure to the intervention. Scaling up the intervention is being explored to prevent zoonotic and infectious disease outbreaks in the region.