Profile and reintegration experience of Ebola survivors in Guinea: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of Guinean Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) survivors in Guinea, up to ten months after discharge from the Ebola treatment unit.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study using a standardized semi-structured questionnaire among survivors from Conakry and Coyah districts in 2015 in Guinea. We used proportions, mean (Standard Deviation) and median (Interquartile range) to summarize the variables. The McNemar Chi square test was used to compare proportions.

RESULTS: The 121 EVD survivors interviewed had a median reintegration time from discharge of 18 weeks (IQR: 14 to 32 weeks). Most survivors were aged 15 to 44 years (87.6%) with secondary to higher level of education (68.6%) and 25.6% were health care workers. The majority reported a lower socio-economic status (90%), a less favorable work situation (79%) and psychologic status (60%). 31% reported physical health problems. Most survivors reported lower levels of reintegration with friends and at work place (72%) and lower acceptance by others in general (71%) in the period after the EVD as compared to the period before the EVD. Only 55 survivors (45.5%) were involved in one or more activities of the EVD response: participation in clinical studies on the EVD (44 survivors, 36.4%), community sensitization (28 survivors, 23.1%), or work in Ebola treatment and/or transit centers (23 survivors, 21.7%).

CONCLUSION: There is a need for a long-term follow-up of EVD survivors in Guinea and more efforts to support their social, professional and economic reintegration, especially in rural areas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.