ABSTRACT
Background: Community and religious leaders, as well as other natural leaders, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have been posited as a gateway into communities, acting as information intermediaries to enable or broker public health messages about COVID-19. However, there is currently limited understanding of the capacity, role, reach, and support needs of these leaders in fulfilling this function. Aim(s): To understand the role and impact of information intermediaries in promoting and supporting COVID-19 public health communication and engagement activities in culturally diverse communities, based on the perceptions of those working in services and other social support roles. Method(s): Forty-six semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders who played an active role in the delivery of services and other social support to culturally diverse communities in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was undertaken using the constant comparative approach. Finding(s): Four key themes emerged related to the role of information intermediaries during the interviews: (1) Ideas around the role they fulfil in 'bridging the gap' and supporting the delivery of pandemic related information into communities;(2) Participants suggested that there had been a failure by Australian Commonwealth Government agencies to recognise the role these information intermediaries play within their communities early in the pandemic, as well as a failure to provide sufficient resources and support;(3) Concerns were 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 personal beliefs;and (4) Concerns were raised about the potential for burn-out amongst information intermediaries. Implications: Community leaders and other information intermediaries play a critical role in preparing and responding to pandemics and other disasters. There needs to be a recognition of these roles formally in pandemic community service planning, and resources are required to enhance and sustain their involvement.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to explore parents' perceptions of COVID-19-like symptoms in their child and attitudes towards isolating from others in the household when unwell. STUDY DESIGN: The study used qualitative, semistructured interviews. METHODS: The study involved thirty semistructured telephone interviews with parents of children between 4 and 18 years. Thirty semistructured telephone interviews with parents of children between 4 and 18 years. RESULTS: We found four themes relating to symptom attribution ('normalising symptoms', 'err on the side of caution', 'experience of temperature', 'symptoms not normal for us'). In general, parents were more likely to attribute symptoms to COVID-19 if a temperature was present or the symptoms were perceived as 'unusual' for their family. Four themes relating to self-isolation ('difficult to prevent contact with children', 'isolation would be no different to lockdown life', 'ability to get food and supplies', 'limited space'). Parents believed they would find isolation within the household difficult or impossible if they had dependent children, had limited space or could not shop for groceries. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight complexities in symptom perception, attribution and household isolation. We suggest that they can be overcome by (a) providing better guidance on what symptoms require action, (b) providing guidance as to how to prevent infection within the household and (c) by supporting families with grocery shopping through a potential second or third wave.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Parents/psychology , Patient Isolation/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Perception , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The December 2019 outbreak of coronavirus has once again thrown the vexed issue of quarantine into the spotlight, with many countries asking their citizens to 'self-isolate' if they have potentially come into contact with the infection. However, adhering to quarantine is difficult. Decisions on how to apply quarantine should be based on the best available evidence to increase the likelihood of people adhering to protocols. We conducted a rapid review to identify factors associated with adherence to quarantine during infectious disease outbreaks. STUDY DESIGN: The study design is a rapid evidence review. METHODS: We searched Medline, PsycINFO and Web of Science for published literature on the reasons for and factors associated with adherence to quarantine during an infectious disease outbreak. RESULTS: We found 3163 articles and included 14 in the review. Adherence to quarantine ranged from as little as 0 up to 92.8%. The main factors which influenced or were associated with adherence decisions were the knowledge people had about the disease and quarantine procedure, social norms, perceived benefits of quarantine and perceived risk of the disease, as well as practical issues such as running out of supplies or the financial consequences of being out of work. CONCLUSIONS: People vary in their adherence to quarantine during infectious disease outbreaks. To improve this, public health officials should provide a timely, clear rationale for quarantine and information about protocols; emphasise social norms to encourage this altruistic behaviour; increase the perceived benefit that engaging in quarantine will have on public health; and ensure that sufficient supplies of food, medication and other essentials are provided.