Lessons from Ebola: Sources of Outbreak Information and the Associated Impact on UC Irvine and Ohio University College Students

Thrissia Koralek,Miryha G Runnerstrom,Tania B Basta,Chukwuemeka Uchegbu,Brandon J Brown

doi:10.1371/currents.outbreaks.f1f5c05c37a5ff8954f38646cfffc6a2

Thrissia Koralek, Miryha G Runnerstrom + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/currents.outbreaks.f1f5c05c37a5ff8954f38646cfffc6a2

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Journal: PLoS Currents	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the role of outbreak information sources through four domains: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and stigma related to the 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak. Methods. We conducted an online survey of 797 undergraduates at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and Ohio University (OU) during the peak of the outbreak. We calculated individual scores for domains and analyzed associations to demographic variables and news sources. Results. Knowledge of EVD was low and misinformation was prevalent. News media (34%) and social media (19%) were the most used sources of EVD information while official government websites (OGW) were among the least used (11%). Students who acquired information through OGW had higher knowledge, more positive attitudes towards those infected, a higher belief in the government, and were less likely to stigmatize Ebola victims. Conclusions. Information sources are likely to influence students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and stigma relating to EVD. This study contains crucial insight for those tasked with risk communication to college students. Emphasis should be given to developing effective strategies to achieve a comprehensive knowledge of EVD and future public health threats.

Highlights

Given the ongoing and unpredictable threat to human health posed by recent emerging infectious diseases (EID), the appearance and exportation of future novel pathogens is expected to continue and, with it, our dependence on reliable risk communication to assist in disease containment
Information sources are likely to influence students’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and stigma relating to Ebola virus disease (EVD)
This study contains crucial insight for those tasked with risk communication to college students

Summary

Introduction

Given the ongoing and unpredictable threat to human health posed by recent emerging infectious diseases (EID), the appearance and exportation of future novel pathogens is expected to continue and, with it, our dependence on reliable risk communication to assist in disease containment. The eradication of Smallpox and Rinderpest virus remains a momentous achievement in public health history,[2] the recent EVD outbreak provided a reminder that pathogens are still capable of crossing national boundaries and posing a global threat.[3] Over 2 years have passed since the World Health Organization (WHO) publicly announced the EVD outbreak in West Africa, on March 23rd, 2014.4 Since the beginning of the outbreak, the total number of reported cases have reached over 28,646 and caused more than 11,323 deaths within six different countries: Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Nigeria, and the United States (U.S.).[5]. A gap in H1N1 influenza knowledge and misconceptions regarding symptoms, treatments, and modes of transmission were widespread among this population.[10,11] lack of disease characteristics’ knowledge facilitates preventable disease transmission, health behavior inaction,[12] and fear of disease, which can lead to social stigmatization.[13]

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