Author Date

2021

Degree Name

Department

Public Health

College

Life Sciences

Defense Date

2021-05-26

Publication Date

2021-06-29

First Faculty Advisor

Dr Evan Thacker

First Faculty Reader

Dr Jeff Glenn

Honors Coordinator

Dr Len Novilla

Keywords

ebola, social determinants, sierra leone, medical anthropology, health workers

Abstract

This research aimed to address the impact of non-health trainees as a part of the emergency health response during the Ebola outbreak within Sierra Leone. The non-health trainees, including sanitation workers within health settings, ambulance drivers, burial teams, prison officers, community engagement staff, border officers, traditional birth assistants, etc. was contrasted with individuals receiving clinical and patient-care training. The data were taken from weekly situation reports published by the Internal Organization for Migration in 2015. Using a negative binomial model, we sought to determine the incidence rate ratio of weekly cases and deaths as a result of new trainees. Trainees were measured in counts as either clinical health workers or non-health workers. The non-health group includes those trained in sanitation, transportation or ‘safe and dignified burials’ as instructed by the World Health Organization. There was no significant association found between the number of weekly trainees and new cases of Ebola. There was no significant association for the number of weekly trainees and deaths due to Ebola.