Main description:

Diversity and Cultural Competence in the Health Sector: Ebola Affected Countries in West Africa examines the 2014-2016 Ebola crisis in three West African countries. The authors argue that this public health disaster was exacerbated by the lack of cultural competency in emergency response efforts. Considering the role of culture in the social, economic, health-related, and political dynamics that made these countries particularly vulnerable to the disease and how culturally competent approaches could have been employed sooner to reduce risk and prevent death and disability, this book serves as a guide for government officials, nongovernmental relief agencies, healthcare professionals, and public health personnel on how to effectively center cultural competence in emergency response to infectious disease outbreaks.

Contents:

Introduction: The Nexus Between Cultural Sensitivity and Health Services

Chapter 1: The Interface Between Cultural Beliefs, Practices, and Health

Chapter 2: Ethnic Groups of Sierra Leone

Chapter 3: The Impact of Cultural Practices on Health: Case study of the Ebola Outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea

Chapter 4: Integrating Cultural and Behavioral Adaptations in Disease Prevention

Chapter 5: Improving Cultural Sensitivity among Clinicians and Allied Health Professionals

Chapter 6: Recommendations for Best Practices