Psychosocial Impacts of COVID-19 and 2014-16 Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks on Australian - Based West Africans: A Narrative Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

Introduction: The ongoing research has been on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, from the lens of West African migrants in Australia who witnessed a prior Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic. The study has been based on seven questions (7-RQ) that were separately discussed, and the objective of this paper is to highlight a summary of discussion, conclusions and recommendations. Methods: These were designed to follow a narrative approach involving a sequential exploratory mixed-methods and underlying methodological principles have been separately published. The focus here is to narrate a succinct storyline of the study including a synthesis of the findings. Results: A total of 68 persons in Victoria, Australia initially subscribed to the online survey, out which 36 qualified for inclusion in the analysis and 9 of the 36 participated in qualitative interview. Nine manuscripts were produced including the demographic characteristics of participants, qualitative interview analysis, and 7-papers covering the 7-RQ. Widespread deaths constituted the most memory and history of trauma experienced by participants. Though family was a major source of social support and coping strategy during EVD epidemic in West Africa, government support played a major role in Australia with seemingly better effect by comparison with West Africa. The EVD experience influenced elevated levels of psychological distress, but coping strategies enhanced satisfaction with life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Findings showed that past events traumatised participants and there were more illnesses during the COVID-19 period. However, more deaths occurred during the EVD period.Participants utilised past coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic especially when government supports were provided in Victoria – Australia.