Considerations from previous outbreaks of Ebola, Cholera, Rift Valley Fever, Influenza and SARS.
This collection collates reports, case studies and tools from the ‘Social Science in Epidemics’ series. In this series, different aspects of past disease outbreaks are reviewed in order to identify social science ‘entry points’ for emergency interventions and preparedness activities.
The case studies compile successful examples of integration of social science knowledge into operational responses.
The collection also includes a series of tools that enable social scientists and practitioners to identify key considerations from a social science perspective when designing or implementing epidemic response activities in a particular context.
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Case Studies
Strengthening Health Information Surveillance: Implementing Community-Based Surveillance in Sudan
This case study explores the 2018–22 implementation of a national community-based surveillance (CBS) programme in Sudan. The programme was designed to meet critical needs of the existing health surveillance system. It aimed to empower communities to detect and contain public…
Tools
Citizen Ethnography in Outbreak Response: Guidance for Establishing Networks of Researchers
This guidance outlines the steps for designing and implementing ethnographic research which is led by citizens. It explains what citizen ethnography is and then sets out what should be considered throughout the process of working with networks of citizen researchers,…
Case Studies
Enhancing Community Engagement Through Data Collection: Controlling the Cholera Epidemic in Mozambique
Case study focusing on post-cyclone cholera response activities
Tools
Social Science Research for Vaccine Deployment in Epidemic Outbreaks
Why is social science vital for effective vaccine trials?
Tools
Rapid Appraisal of Key Health-Seeking Behaviours in Epidemics
How to identify health-seeking behaviours
Tools
Rapid Anthropological Assessments in the Field
Exploring data collection methods and question modules
Tools
Rapid Remote Context Analysis Tool (RR-CAT) in Epidemics
Methodologies for use during remote context analysis
Case Studies
Real-Time Ebola Community Feedback Mechanism
Case study examining misinformation and mistrust in the Ebola epidemic
Case Studies
Understanding Sociocultural Dynamics to Enhance Control of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) Epidemics in Kenya
Case study addressing the issue of food shortage and economic losses
Case Studies
Balancing Burial Rituals with Public Health Demands During the 2014 Guinean Ebola Epidemic
Case study addressing resistance to Ebola response measures
Case Studies
Learning the Lessons of Crisis: Mobilising Knowledge During a Global Health Emergency
Case study addressing issues around knowledge sharing, focusing on the example of Ebola
Case Studies
Rift Valley Fever: Local Knowledge, Health-Seeking Behaviours and Attitudes Towards Vaccination in Southern Uganda
Case study addressing the challenge of vaccine uptake and regulating the unknown
Case Studies
Building a Community Health Worker Programme During the Ebola Outbreak in Sierra Leone
Case study looking into the challenge of a lack of trust and referrals to biomedical health care
Case Studies
Participation with a Cholera-Exposed Population in Haiti: Finding their Own Solutions
Case study looking at the challenge of cholera in Haiti
Case Studies
Beyond the Biomedical: Ebola Response and Recovery Through a Psychosocial Lens
Humanitarian responders must look beyond the biomedical lens to ensure successful interventions across global health programmes
Case Studies
People, Poultry and Pandemics: Risk Communication and Community Engagement in Indonesia
This SSHAP Case Study illustrates how the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) worked in 2006-07 to support the Indonesian government in response to avian influenza outbreaks. The agency provided social mobilisation and education programmes to schools and villages in affected…
Tools
Assessing Key Considerations for Burial Practices, Death and Mourning in Epidemics
Highlighting key considerations for rapidly appraising burial/funerary practices and beliefs around death/dying during an epidemic.
Tools
Taking a Psychosocial Approach to Epidemic Response
This Practical Approaches brief highlights key considerations for taking a psychosocial approach to working in the context of an epidemic. Public health emergencies can cultivate fear, anger and grief, and deeply impact the wider social fabric. Exposure to disease is…
Evidence Reviews
Social Science in Epidemics: Rift Valley Fever Lessons Learned
Summary and background reports offering recommendations on risk communication and local frameworks among other topics.
Evidence Reviews
Social Science in Epidemics: Influenza and SARS Lessons Learned
Summary and background reports exploring transmission, surveillance and other aspects of outbreaks.
Evidence Reviews
Social Science in Epidemics: Ebola Virus Disease Lessons Learned
Summary and background reports offering recommendations on local customs, health care systems and other topics.
Evidence Reviews
