Objectives

The ongoing epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been declared an international public health emergency. Preventive approaches including early diagnosis and contact tracing remain the only solution to stop transmission, as we lack effective treatment or vaccine. Public participation in such approaches remains essential, but to be effective it requires availability of understandable information. Readability indicators measure the ease with which text can be read and understood and have helped match health information to the citizens’ health literacy.

We review here the readability and suitability of EVD public information sheets available from different national public health agencies.

Methods

Information sheets were downloaded on 1st September 2014 from ECDC (Europe), CDC (US), PHE (UK) and Canada public health websites and standard suitability and readability tools applied using software. Scores were analysed using Stata.

Results

Table 1 presents the results. ECDC, PHE and Canada factsheets were ‘difficult to read’, requiring a school grade of 12 (UK year 13), and 17-18 years old reading age. The CDC page was ‘fairly difficult to read’, with a US school grade of 9 (UK year 10), and 13-15 years old reading age (p>0.05).

Conclusion
Public health agencies should consider the suitability of information provided to the public so they can adopt effective self-care strategies, avoid fear and reduce unnecessary panic and stigma towards those affected by emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola virus.