Table 3 Promoting infection prevention community-engaged measures against Ebola virus disease, 8 key steps (CARE framework)

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Prepare to enter the affected community with a respected local leader

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Enter the community with cultural humility and critical self-reflection about one’s own biases and beliefs

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Identify key male and female community leaders who are influential in decision making

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Empower the community leaders

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Organise regular meetings where medical teams can be invited as participants rather than conveners

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Assess to what extent communities are ready for change (knowledge of the issue and of the efforts involved in the response, leadership attitude)

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Map the various groups that have resources and insights into the situation (religious groups, children, etc.)

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Plan for sustainability, i.e. after the departure of the medical team. Most importantly, a process