hide
Free keywords:
-
Abstract:
Epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and Ebola virus disease (EVD) may adversely impact the livelihoods of the society affected by the epidemics. Nonetheless, the mechanism behind the effects of the epidemics may differ depending on different factors, such as the transmission mechanisms, latency, and mortality rates associated with the diseases, which requires specific research to investigate theeffect of each epidemic. In light of this, we analyzed the impact of the recent EVD epidemic on the agricultural production of farm households and its impact on the livelihoods of Liberian society. We collected data from 623 households throughout Liberia during the EDV crisis 2014-2016, and found that there was no significant difference the annual income of sample households from communities where EDV occured and did not occur. Nonetheless, the majority of the sample households reported a decrease their income compared to the year before our survey. We also found that the communitiy level incidence of EDV had a significant negative effect on crop production of farm households which might have exacerbated food insecurity the country. Moreover, the EDV epidemic negatively affected the Liberian society's trust Liberian institutions. Our results underline that epidemics, like EDV, might have long-lasting negative effects on the liveliholds of a society, and they may have adverse effect beyond the communities directly affected by the epidemics.
Nonetheless,
the
mecha-
nism
behind
the
effects
of
the
epidemics
may
differ
depending
on
different
factors,
such
as
the
transmission
mechanisms,
latency,
and
mortality
rates
associated
with
the
diseases,
which
requires
specific
research
to
investigate
the
effect
of
each
epidemic.
In
light
of
this,
we
analyzed
the
impact
of
the
recent
EVD
epidemic
on
the
agricultural
production
of
farm
households
and
its
impact
on
the
livelihoods
of
Liberian
society.
We
collected
data
from
623
households
throughout
Liberia
during
the
EVD
crisis
in
2014–2016,
and
found
that
there
was
no
significant
difference
in
the
annual
income
of
sample
households
from
communities
where
EVD
occurred
and
did
not
occur.
Nonetheless,
the
majority
of
the
sample
households
reported
a decrease
in
their
income
compared
to
the
year
before
our
survey.
We
also
found
that
the
community
level
incidence
of
EVD
had
a significant
nega-
tive
effect
on
crop
production
of
farm
households,
which
might
have
exacerbated
food
insecurity
in
the
country.
Moreover,
the
EVD
epidemic
negatively
affected
the
Liberian
society’s
trust
in
Liberian
institutions.
Our
results
underline
that
epidemics,
like
EVD,
might
have
long-lasting
negative
effects
on
the
livelihoods
of
a society,
and
they
may
have
adverse
effect
beyond
the
communities
directly
affected
by
the
epidemics.
