AfroSuppressEbola 2026: Advancing Afrocentric Health Literacy for Epidemic Control in Africa
Authors
Prof Kenneth Yongabi Anchang
Dr Charles Nsanzabera MPH, PhD
Publication Details
Article Details
Article Metrics
Abstract
The resurgence of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in 2026, in conjunction with persistent misinformation and sociocultural complexities, necessitates a paradigm shift in public health strategies across Africa. In accordance with this need, in this paper, advances the argument that Afrocentric health literacy, grounded in indigenous knowledge systems and community engagement, is essential for effective epidemic control. Furthermore, evidence suggests that locally co-constructed interventions and culturally aligned communication significantly enhance compliance with public health measures. Hence, integrating traditional belief systems with biomedical approaches represents a critical pivot in addressing stigma, mistrust, and vaccine hesitancy. Therefore, health literacy must be reconceptualized as a contextual and participatory process, central to sustainable epidemic preparedness and response. This view points are recommended for a policy response framework in addressing EVD sustainably.
Keywords
References
1. Moyo E, Mhango M, Moyo P, Dzinamarira T, Chitungo I, Murewanhema G. Emerging infectious disease outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa: learning from the past and present to be better prepared for future outbreaks. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1049986. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1049986.
2. Sørensen K, Knoll V, Ramos N, Boateng M, Alemayehu G, Schamberger L, et al. Health literacy in Africa: a scoping review of scientific publications. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21(11):1456. doi:10.3390/ijerph21111456.
3. Barker KM, Ling EJ, Fallah M, VanDeBogert B, Kodl Y, Macauley RJ, Viswanath K, Kruk ME. Community engagement for health system resilience: evidence from Liberia's Ebola epidemic. Health Policy Plan. 2020;35(4):416-423. doi:10.1093/heapol/czz174.
4. Owen K, Sengeh P, Jalloh MF, Bedson J, Pedi D, Bah S, et al. Community engagement in outbreak response: lessons from the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(8):e002145. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002145.
5. James PB, Wardle J, Steel A, Adams J. Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BMJ Glob Health. 2018;3(5):e000895. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000895
6. Okereke M, et al. COVID-19 misinformation and infodemic in rural Africa. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021;104(2):453–456.
7. World Health Organization. Infodemic overview. WHO; 2023.
8. Kasilo OMJ, et al. Advancing traditional medicine in Africa. BMJ Glob Health. 2019;4:e001517
9. Ikhoyameh M, et al. Integrating traditional medicine into African healthcare systems. Pan Afr Med J. 2024; 47:146, doi: https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2024.47.146.43011
10. Anoko JN, et al. Community engagement in Ebola response. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;4: e003121, doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003121
11. Soke GN, et al. Continuous community engagement during Ebola outbreaks. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2024;12: e2300006, DOI: https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00006
12. Musoke D, et al. Barriers to community engagement in Ebola response. BMJ Glob Health. 2025;10:e017285. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017285
13. Unfried K, Priebe J. Vaccine hesitancy and trust in sub-Saharan Africa. Sci Rep. 2024; 14:10860, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61205-0
14. Matangi B, et al. Acceptability of Ebola vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Infect Dis. 2026; 26:521, Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-026-12758-0