ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess Former Persons Under Monitoring (FPUM)s' experiences and perceptions of the United States (US) Ebola Active Monitoring Program. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective assessment survey of FPUM. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to FPUMs monitored in Washington, DC, during October 2014-September 2015 (n = 830). RESULTS: Most FPUMs (>70%) had a favourable perception of the program. Less than 5% avoided future travel or participation in outbreak response activities as a result of their monitoring experience. Approximately 29% experienced a negative consequence in the US due to their travel history. Only 19.2% reported that the Check and Report Ebola (CARE) phone was their only means of communication and 56.5% never used it for daily reporting. Experiences and perceptions varied significantly by citizenship with citizens of Ebola-affected countries more likely to have a favourable perception of the program, use CARE phones and express concern about Ebola transmission and development. CONCLUSIONS: FPUMs perceived the program as beneficial and undergoing monitoring was not a barrier to future travel. Negative consequences resulting from travel were frequent. Targeted distribution of resources (e.g. CARE phones) should be considered for future programs.
