Socio-Economic Practices and EVD Transmission in Tanzania: Insights from Cross-Border Regions

Abstract Background: Ebola virus disease is a rare but severe, often fatal in humans with an average mortality rate of 50% 1. Several outbreaks have been reported in some of the African countries with the worst scenario in West Africa in 2014-2016 2. The most recent outbreak was confirmed in Uganda and subsequently the government of Tanzania issued an alert requesting all high-risk regions to take all necessary precautions. Human interactions during socio-economic activities play an important role in the transmission of Ebola virus disease 3. Objectives: The study was conducted to explore the influence of socio-economic practices of people living in border areas identified as high-risk regions on Ebola virus disease transmission. These regions include Kagera, Mwanza, Kigoma, Songwe and Zanzibar. Methodology: The study design was an anthropological socio-economic ethnography that employed a range of data collection methods including observation (114), in-depth interviews (66), key informant interviews (75) and focus group discussions (31). Study participants included teachers, students, traditional healers, community health workers, transporters, health care workers, journalists, and influential persons. Results: The result of the study unveiled multiple socio-economic activities that may enhance Ebola virus disease transmission among individuals, namely, travel and transportation, trading activities, fishing, agriculture, and tourism activities. Conclusions: High interactions among people with community members during socio-economic activities may enhance Ebola virus disease transmission. The study recommends considering factors that drive interactions among people during economic activities when planning for preventive measures against Ebola disease transmission.