Community Acceptance of COVID-19 and Demystifying Stigma in a Severely Affected Population in Ghana

/in , , /by

The authors of this study conducted a cross-sectional study to assess stigma among the Tema community, then identified and implemented interventions to demystify COVID-19 stigma. They interviewed positive cases, their contacts, contact tracers, case management team members, and community members who shared their first hand experiences and knowledge on the current pandemic.

Source: Community acceptance of COVID-19 and demystifying stigma in a severely affected population in Ghana

    Views 944

    COVID-19-Related Misinformation on Social Media: A Systematic Review

    /in , , , /by

    This review focuses on misinformation that appeared early in the pandemic. During this phase, little was known about the virus, such as how it spread or how infected people could be treated most effectively.

    Source: COVID-19-Related Misinformation on Social Media: A Systematic Review

      Views 580

      Can Technology Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Rates?

      /in , , , /by

      The WHO Digital Health Flagship initiative has stated that digital technology could play a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic by improving communications between people and health services, empowering individuals and patients, and strengthening critical public health functions including disease surveillance. The authors of this article ask whether technology also help build trust and promote vaccination within communities that are most at risk.

      Source: Can Technology Increase COVID-19 Vaccination Rates?

        Views 534

        Early AI-supported Response with Social Listening

        /in , , , , /by

        Listening to people’s questions and concerns is an important way for health authorities to learn about what matters to communities in response to COVID-19. This social listening platform aims to show real time information about how people are talking about COVID-19 online, so that health professionals can better manage as the infodemic and pandemic evolve.

        Source: Early AI-supported Response with Social Listening

          Views 727

          Early Estimates of the COVID-19 Impact on Maternal and Child Health

          /in , , , /by

          While the COVID-19 pandemic will increase mortality due to the virus, it is also likely to increase mortality indirectly. In this study, the authors estimate the additional maternal and under-5 child deaths resulting from the potential disruption of health systems and decreased access to food.

          The results of the study show that if routine health care is disrupted and access to food is decreased (as a result of unavoidable shocks, health system collapse, or intentional choices made in responding to the pandemic), the increase in child and maternal deaths will be devastating. The authors hope these numbers add context as policy makers establish guidelines and allocate resources in the days and months to come.

          Source: Early Estimates of the COVID-19 Impact on Maternal and Child Health

            Views 561

            The Best Evidence for How to Overcome COVID Vaccine Fears

            /in , , , /by

            Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, somewhere between 60 and 90 percent of adults and children must be vaccinated or have antibodies resulting from infection in order to arrive at the safe harbor known as herd immunity, where the whole community is protected.

            However, among the US population, there are large segments that remain reluctant or opposed to receiving the vaccines. In the Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 42 percent of Republicans said they definitely or probably would not. The same was true for 35 percent of Black adults, who, as a group, have borne a disproportionate share of sickness and death from COVID-19. Also deeply hesitant were 35 percent of rural residents, 36 percent of adults ages 30 to 49, and—especially worrisome given their public-facing roles—33 percent of essential workers and 29 percent of those who work in a health care delivery setting.

            For the reluctant and distrustful, it will take targeted actions and communication strategies that speak to the specific concerns of each group to move them toward accepting the new vaccines. This article describes several approaches to reach those audiences.

            Source: The Best Evidence for How to Overcome COVID Vaccine Fears

              Views 922

              Inside the Mind of an Anti-vaxxer

              /in , , , /by

              This article describes the attitude of the many individuals in the US who are against vaccination and details steps that can be taken to change their attitudes and behavior.

              The various options of changing people’s attitudes toward vaccinations are discussed.

              Source: Inside the Mind of an Anti-vaxxer

                Views 588

                COVID-19: Can Behavior Insights Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Increase Take-up?

                /in , , , /by

                In efforts to reduce infections by COVID-19, effective vaccines will only contribute to herd immunity if people accept them and follow the correct vaccination course. The take-up rate is a crucial variable to consider in the quest to achieve herd immunity.

                For instance, with a 90% effective vaccine, we need a 77.7% take-up rate if the herd immunity threshold is 70%. Currently, the picture is mixed: in a global survey of potential acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine, positive responses ranged from 55% in Russia to 87% in China. In September 2020, a Pew survey suggested that 49% of American adults would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine.

                The behavioral science literature suggests the importance of understanding the underlying drivers of vaccine decision-making. Countries should design their strategies for vaccine take-up to target these factors, including the perceived risk of disease and side effects, social norms, costs in terms of time and effort, and trust in the health system and government. Behavior science offers options that go beyond traditional behavior change campaigns.

                Source: COVID-19: Can Behavior Insights Address Vaccine Hesitancy and Increase Take-up?

                  Views 477

                  Vaccine Confidence Project

                  /in , , , /by

                  This site serves as a collection of resources from around the world that can be used to gain further information about vaccines and their recommended usage.

                  The purpose of the Vaccine Confidence Project is to monitor public confidence in immunization programs by building an information surveillance system for early detection of public concerns around vaccines; by applying a diagnostic tool to data collected to determine the risk level of public concerns in terms of their potential to disrupt vaccine programmes; and, finally, to provide analysis and guidance for early response and engagement with the public to ensure sustained confidence in vaccines and immunisation.

                  This initiative also defines a Vaccine Confidence Index™ (VCI) as a tool for mapping confidence globally.

                  Source: Vaccine Confidence Project

                    Views 766

                    COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor

                    /in , , , /by

                    The Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor is an ongoing research project tracking the American public’s attitudes and experiences with COVID-19 vaccinations.

                    Using a combination of surveys and focus groups, this project will track the dynamic nature of public opinion as vaccine development unfolds, including vaccine confidence and hesitancy, trusted messengers and messages, as well as the public’s experiences with vaccination as distribution begins.

                    Source: COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor

                      Views 834