ABSTRACT
Background: The Australian Government implemented a range of public health response strategies and communication approaches to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, concerns have been raised around a failure to consider culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities sufficiently in these processes. This research aimed to understand the factors that have impacted COVID-19 communication and engagement efforts during the pandemic from the perspective of key CaLD community stakeholders and community members. A further aim was to understand the processes that could be adopted to support future communication strategies, including the promotion of pandemic-related vaccines. Approach: This study included 29 key informant interviews with community and faith-based leaders in New South Wales, Australia. Results: The overwhelming message from community leaders was a sense of shared responsibility between their organisations and the government in communicating pertinent and accurate COVID-19 related information to CaLD communities. They expressed a sense of duty to keep their community members safe. While acknowledging this shared responsibility, community leaders and others shouldered significant costs related to resources and time that need to be acknowledged by governments in preparing for future disease outbreaks. They felt that governments should consider: 1) improving communication between governments and CaLD organisations; 2) responding to the specific CaLD needs with greater agility; 3) foregrounding social media in their communication strategy; 4) reinvesting in local public health units to know their population; 5) investing in a health ambassadors model program; 6) preparing a hybrid model of translators/interpreters to fill the gap; and, 7) reimagining vaccine information campaigns to better target CaLD communities. Conclusion: Given the technical details about the COVID-19 virus conveyed in government information campaigns and the media, ensuring the most vulnerable populations, including people from CaLD backgrounds, access clear, concise and timely public health messaging from both governments and community organisations requires further attention.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Community and religious leaders, as well as other natural leaders, from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds have been posited as a gateway into communities, acting as information intermediaries that enabler or broker public health messages about the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are currently limitations regarding our understanding of the capacity, role and reach of these leaders. In-depth interviews were undertaken to understand the perceptions of those working in services and other social support roles focused on CaLD communities towards the role and impact of information intermediaries in promoting and supporting COVID-19 public health communication and engagement activities. Forty-six semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders who have an active role in the delivery of services and other social support to CaLD communities in Australia. Four key themes emerged related to the role of information intermediaries during the interviews. Ideas around the role they fulfil in “bridging the gap” and supporting the delivery of pandemic related information into communities. Participants suggested that there had been a failure by Federal government agencies to recognise the role of these stakeholders early in the pandemic, as well as a failure to provide sufficient resources and support. However, concerns were also raised that information may be inappropriately interpreted or translated by the community information intermediaries or potentially blocked, if the message does not align with the broker’s own beliefs. Finally, concerns were raised about the potential for burn-out amongst information intermediaries. It is critical that in preparing and responding to pandemics and other disasters, that there is recognition of the role of community leaders and other information intermediaries and that resources are identified to enhance and sustain their involvement.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background Since the emergence of COVID-19, issues have been raised regarding the approach used to engage with culturally, and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities during this public health crisis. This study aimed to understand the factors impacting communication and engagement efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of key CaLD community stakeholders and opinion leaders.Methods Forty-six semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders who have an active role (established prior to the pandemic) in the delivery of services and other social support to CaLD communities in Australia.Results Seven key themes emerged: (1) the digital divide and how to really connect with people; (2) information voids being filled by international material; (3) differentiating established with new and emerging community needs; (4) speaking COVID-19; (5) ineffectiveness of direct translations of English language resources; (6) Coordination is needed to avoid duplication and address gaps and (7) recognising the improvements in governments’ approach.Conclusion It is critical that alliances be set up that can be activated in the future to reduce issues around resource development, translation, and dissemination of messages to minimise gaps in the response. Financial assistance must be provided in a timely way to community organisations to support the development and dissemination of culturally appropriate communication materials.