Experiences and perceptions of the United States Ebola Active Monitoring Program: results from a survey of Former Persons Under Monitoring in Washington, DC

•The US actively monitored persons returning from Ebola-affected countries (EAC).•Overall persons under monitoring in the US perceived the process favourably.•Not all persons monitored required a prepaid cell phone to comply with monitoring.•Approximately 30% of persons monitored experienced stigma due to travel history.•Needs-based targeting of resources and communications would benefit future efforts.

ObjectivesTo assess Former Persons Under Monitoring (FPUM)s' experiences and perceptions of the United States (US) Ebola Active Monitoring Program.Study designRetrospective assessment survey of FPUM.MethodsAn electronic survey was distributed to FPUMs monitored in Washington, DC, during October 2014-September 2015 (n = 830).ResultsMost 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.ConclusionsFPUMs 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.