Brief

Research snapshot: reaching refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic

author(s) University of Washington, Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute. - Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Medical Teams International.
from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
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themes
regions
  • Eastern Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
  • World
citation

University of Washington, Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Medical Teams International and Viamo. ‘Research snapshot: reaching refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic’ Elrha, 2022

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

Exploring innovative approaches to collecting COVID-19 symptom and exposure data and sharing public health information with displaced populations in remote locations. The “Dial-COVID” telephone tool enabled collection and dissemination of COVID-19 information among refugee populations in Uganda. The study aimed to implement Dial-COVID and assess uptake, population coverage, and the positive predictive value of the algorithm to identify people with COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey and semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted by phone were used to understand refugees’ COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and barriers/facilitators to prevention and control measure adoption. Results showed that Interactive Voice Response (IVR) surveys with pre-recorded messages in nine languages overcame language and literacy barriers, did not require smartphone or internet access, and eliminated the need for in-person interaction. Its effectiveness at reaching previously hard-to-reach groups and adaptability may make IVR an appealing method for dynamic public health emergencies or outbreaks that require a rapid response. This research was supported by the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme

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