Trans-Frontier Socio-Cultural Interactions and Learning for Epidemic Preparedness and Control

Abstract

West Africa’s extensive migratory activities and unregulated cross-border community interactions between countries pose challenges to epidemic preparedness and control. Understanding of the nature of these activities and interactions is therefore necessary for epidemic preparedness planning and response. We used a qualitative cross-sectional study to conduct focused group discussions and key informant interviews in contiguous border communities in Ghana and Burkina Faso to assess if and how cross border interactions compromise or facilitate management of public health emergencies. Knowledge and perception of the severity of epidemics in Ghana and Burkina Faso is high, and existing local networks and institutions have the capacity to effectively respond to public health emergencies when properly mobilized. Managing cross-border community interactions and interrelationships and respectful cross-cultural dialog among the multiplicity of stakeholders within and between the two countries is sine qua non for constructing a robust and responsive architecture for effective epidemic preparedness and control.