IHP 501 Module One Project Preparation Worksheet
1. Scenario: 2. Ebola outbreak in the Republic of Guinea.
The countries of West Africa have been struggling to control the outbreak of the Ebola virus. My rationale for selecting this region
is my personal connection with the people of West Africa. I spent two consecutive years living in Benin and Togo. These are two of
the poorest countries in the West African region. I was there as a missionary and learned about their diverse cultures and history.
The Ebola virus is a severe viral infection the causes symptoms similar to malaria or the flu. If not treated promptly and properly it
is also very fatal (WHO, 2021). It starts its lifespan in wild animals and is spread through contact with bodily fluids, often indirectly
(WHO, 2021). The primary carrier of this virus is the fruit bat native to the region (WHO, 2021). Once it infects humans, it becomes
difficult to detect since its symptoms are very similar to other diseases native to that region. Diagnostic testing and blood work are
required for a proper diagnosis. This is where the problem starts.
West Africa is characterized by prevalent poverty and low-quality healthcare. While the Ebola virus is quickly handled in 1 st world
countries, the 3rd world countries of West Africa have trouble controlling its outbreak. Without access to outside aid from the World
Health Organization and other humanitarian aid foundations, the people would not have access to the tools needed to control this
disease.
2. Population
A. Geographic Region:
i. Size: approximately 95,000 square miles (O’Toole, 2022)
ii. Location: between 8- and 12-degrees latitude and 8- and 16-degrees longitude. Located in the northwestern
region of Africa. West of the Ivory Coast and north to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
iii. Climate: mostly tropical (O’Toole, 2022)
B. Socioeconomic Profile:
i. Capital City: Conakry (O’Toole, 2022)
ii. Major Districts or Territories: Guinea is divided into eight regions. These regions are Boké, Conakry,
Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labé, Mamou and Nzérékoré. (Regions of Guinea, 2021)
iii. Income Standard: $1,020 (O’Toole, 2022)
iv. Common Occupations: Agriculture (3/4 of population), (1/10) mining and industrial (O’Toole, 2022)
v. GDP Estimate: $15,000,000,000 (US dollars equivalent) (O’Toole, 2022)
vi. Source of Funding for the Education System: Government (Taxes)
vii. Source of Funding for the Healthcare System: Government (Taxes) and personal
C. Demographic Profile (2020):
i. Birth Rate: currently at 4.7 but quickly decreasing over the last 2 decades (previously 6.5 in 1990) (Guinea
demographics, 2020)
ii. Aging Trends: life expectancy: early 60’s for both sexes and slowly rising (Guinea demographics, 2020)
iii. Death Rates: infant mortality rate = 44.9/1,000. Deaths under 5 = 70.2/1,000. (Guinea demographics, 2020)
3. Prevalent Health Concerns: Ebola, COVID-19, Malaria, Lower Respiratory Disease, Diarrheal Disease, Heart disease,
HIV/AIDS (CDC, 2022)
4. Social Determinants:
i. Education: “Under the 2020 constitution, education is free and compulsory until age 16. Primary education is
offered in the form of a six-year program beginning at age seven. Secondary education is also offered as a six-
year program. Instruction is offered in French and in local languages” (O’Toole, 2022).
ii. Healthcare: Whiles trends look very promising, Guinea continues to fall behind other West African countries
in several health-related outcomes. Their primary concern is lack of supplies and educated workforce to support
their population. (O’Toole, 2022).
iii. Economic Stability: Strides have been made to establish a free-market system but low wages, poor education
and training, and low support from the government make it difficult for the economy to prosper. There exists a
large informal economy of local goods made from the large agricultural production. (O’Toole, 2022).
iv. Inequity: Like many 3rd world countries, there is no real existence of a middle class. The majority of the
population is in the lower class while only the political and military powers remain in the 1%.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 11). CDC in Guinea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Retrieved August 27, 2022, from [Link]
Guinea demographics. Worldometer. (2020). Retrieved August 27, 2022, from [Link]
demographics/
O'Toole, T. (2022). Guinea. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 26, 2022, from [Link]
Regions of Guinea. Mappr. (2021, October 15). Retrieved August 27, 2022, from [Link]
World Health Organization. (2021). Ebola outbreak 2021- N'Zerekore, Guinea. World Health Organization. Retrieved August 26,
2022, from [Link]
