Non-compliance with messages for the prevention of ebola virus disease in Cote d'Ivoire in a context of threats to the epidemic.

Abstract

Introduction: The 2013-2016 West African pandemic of Ebola virus caused a global psychosis. Considering Côte d'Ivoire's geographical proximity with the affected countries, the Ivorian government has introduced several community-based preventive measures. This included a large population health education program consisting of 20 measures to be observed by the population. We conducted this study to assess the reasons for non-compliance of 

the populations with these preventive measures and socio-demographic determinants related to non-compliance.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study for 01 month, from March 11, 2017 to April 10, 2017, in the households of the city of Bouaké. We interviewed 405 people through a questionnaire. Epi Info 2000 and SPSS 17.0 software were used for the statistical analysis of the collected data.

Results: Adults had an average age of 36.34 ± 1.60 years and children 13.1 ± 11.27 years. Some children were out of school (4.3%) and adults had a higher level of education in 31.3% of cases. The least observed measures were measures 3 (42.5%), 1 (8.6%), 5 (5.7%) and 7 (5.7%). The most cited reasons were courtesy (27.4%), habit (21.0%), respect for custom (13.1%) and forgetfulness (11.6%). For measure 1, all socio-demographic characteristics were statistically associated (p <0.000).

Conclusion: It's important to identify all the contours of the awareness and prevention messages in order to ensure total population adhesion.