Stigma among ebola disease survivors in Mubende and Kassanda districts, Central Uganda, 2022

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003272
• Publication Date: 2024-12-16T18:25:57Z
• Authors: Marie Gorreti Zal...; Sarah Paige; Richard Migisha; Brenda Nakafeero ...; Edirisa Junior Ns...; Alice Asio; Zainah Kabami; Jane Frances Zalw...; Peter Chris Kawun...; Mercy Wendy Wanyana; Patrick King; Hellen Nelly Naiga; Brian Agaba; Robert Zavuga; Giulia Earle-Rich...; Benon Kwesiga; Lilian Bulage; Daniel Kadobera; Alex Riolexus Ario; Julie R. Harris
• Keywords: Stigma; Isolation

Ebola disease survivors often experience stigma in multiple forms, including felt (perceived) stigma, enacted (action-based) and institutional stigma. On September 20, 2022, Uganda declared a Sudan Virus Disease (species orthoebolavirus sudanense ) outbreak after patient with confirmed virus (SUDV) infection was identified Mubende District. The led to 142 22 probable cases over the next two months. We examined types of experienced by their household members its effect on well-being. conducted qualitative study during January 2023 Kassanda Districts. in-depth key informant interviews ten SUDV survivors, informants (district officials health workers affected communities). Interviews were recorded, translated, transcribed, analyzed thematically. Survivors reported experiencing isolation rejection community loss work. They being denied purchases at shops or having money collected basket disinfected (enacted stigma), which self-isolation (felt stigma). Educational institutions admission some students from homes, while parents children families stopped sending school due verbal abuse teachers (structural Prolonged symptoms additional attention responders (including home visits workers, public distribution support items, conspicuous transport survivor’s clinic) perceived as aggravating both Even had been over, that they still considered threat community. mainly aggravated response control activities such responders. Strengthening engagement counteract rethinking aggravate integrated interventions partners, private increasing awareness sensitization could reduce among future responses.