1663. Community Engagement for Ebola Prevention in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

BACKGROUND: The second largest outbreak of Ebolavirus in history is currently ongoing in Eastern DRC. The epidemic is characterized by social resistance to foreign-led response teams. Trusted local health practitioners, including medical students, may be valuable social mobilizers in this challenging context. METHODS: We report on a student-led educational campaign to increase community awareness and engagement in EVD control efforts. We evaluated student and community participant satisfaction using standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: The outreach was conducted in November 2018, involving parades, speeches, branded banners and T-shirts, and interpersonal interactions in public spaces. Key messages, linked to previously identified resistant attitudes, included: “Ebola exists in Butembo,” “Bring infected family members to the Ebola Treatment Unit,” and “Leave burials to the official team.” Medical students (n = 355) and community participants (n = 319) evaluated the outreach campaign. Satisfaction was high: 320 (90%) students agreed that medical students could contribute to the EVD response effort, and 233 (73%) community members agreed that the students had helped them understand Ebola in the area. Lower satisfaction scores were associated with self-reported “resistant” attitudes (e.g., intention to hide infected family member from authorities, ρ = -0.25, P < 0.0001), denial of the existence of Ebola in the area (ρ = -0.17, P = 0.0018), and mistrust of the foreign response team (e.g., belief in mercenary motive, ρ = -0.11, P = 0.042). Higher satisfaction scores were associated with the view that local engagement was critical to ending the epidemic (ρ = +0.13, P = 0.017). Both students (77%) and community members (71%) agreed that they were more motivated to combat Ebola as a result of the outreach, suggesting that the activities fostered empowerment. CONCLUSION: Medical students can lead satisfactory community engagement and educational activities during an EVD epidemic. As trusted local health agents, medical students may be valuable allies in building public trust and cooperation in this epidemic complicated by social resistance. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.