Impact of Community Engagement on Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Ebola Preparedness in Western Uganda

What did the study set out to achieve?

The study aimed to investigate the impact of integrating community engagement activities to an infection prevention and control (IPC) intervention package in health facilities, as part of Ebola preparedness and/or response in Uganda. The research set out to assess:

• what additional impact community engagement has on IPC scores in health facilities as compared to standard IPC package implementation.
• the impact of the adapted community engagement model in community awareness of EVD, health care seeking behaviours and attitudes towards health workers in health facilities.

The study planned to design and implement a Community Engagement intervention, including activities such as regular communication with communities, establishment of community-based focal points, partnering with local community-based organisations, and formation of community feedback mechanisms. With data collection to include 1) qualitative and quantitative data from community members on perceptions around EVD preparedness and 2) baseline and weekly IPC scores from health facilities with the IPC package only and from those with the IPC package + CE intervention for comparison.

Expected Outcomes

The study aimed to contribute to improved IPC in health facilities in at-risk districts in Uganda. It hoped interventions would improve community knowledge, early healthcare seeking and acceptance of IPC interventions at health facilities during response, with anticipated impact on EVD preparedness and response capacity. Findings were expected to inform how IPC is implemented in Uganda, DRC and other at-risk countries. As well as inform national, regional and global guidelines for Ebola and other rapidly implemented IPC interventions for future infectious disease outbreaks.