We Know How to Curb the Pandemic. How Do We Make People Listen?

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A recent report by researchers from Northeastern University and elsewhere found that the number of Americans heeding most recommendations has dropped steadily since April. (Mask-wearing, which has increased, was an exception.)

This article relates several instances of intended audiences practicing appropriate behavior when they believe others are doing the same thing, i.e., adhering to social norms. What one believes others are doing influences our actions, but so does what we imagine they view as acceptable.

Source: We Know How to Curb the Pandemic. How Do We Make People Listen?

    Views 645

    Behavioural Considerations for Acceptance and Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines: WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health

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    This is a report from a meeting held in October 2020 to discuss behavioral considerations relating to vaccine acceptance and uptake.

    The discussion focused on a series of key questions around achieving high and equitable uptake of vaccines through evidence-based and behaviourally informed strategies. This meeting report is the product of the discussion held by WHO TAG members during the meeting. It covers only the topics that were addressed at the meeting.

    The study introduces the topic by stating that behavioral research identifies three categories of drivers of vaccine uptake, in addition to people having the necessary knowledge:

    1. an enabling environment
    2. social influences
    3. motivation

    The three drivers interact and overlap, depending on contexts; however, for the purpose of understanding the problem and identifying strategies, it is helpful to keep the categories separate. An appreciation of each driver leads to its own set of insights and interventions, or mix of interventions, which will often vary across communities.

    Source: Behavioural Considerations for Acceptance and Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines: WHO Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health

      Views 600

      Readability of Online COVID-19 Health Information: A Comparison between Four English Speaking Countries

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      The general public is faced with a plethora of misinformation regarding COVID-19 and the readability of online information has an impact on their understanding of the disease.

      The accessibility of online healthcare information relating to COVID-19 is unknown. The authors ought to evaluate the readability of online information relating to COVID-19 in four English speaking regions: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, and compare readability of website source provenance and regional origin.

      Source: Readability of Online COVID-19 Health Information: A Comparison between Four English Speaking Countries

        Views 623

        COVID-19, Comics, and the Visual Culture of Contagion

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        One cultural response to the disruption and uncertainty during an infectious disease outbreak is the construction of what is sometimes called the “outbreak narrative”, a formulaic plot that serves to shape our collective understanding of a pandemic.

        This narrative traces the emergence and spread of a novel pathogen and the scientific, social, and political responses to the outbreak. In doing so, the outbreak narrative emphasises the breakdown of boundaries, the sites of infection, the social interactions that are disrupted and enacted, and the efforts of science to contain the spread and find a cure. In our increasingly visual society, images are a vital component of the outbreak narrative and more broadly contribute to the visual culture of contagion.

        Comics, as both a visual medium and cultural product, are important contributions to the visual culture of the COVID-19 pandemic.

        Source: COVID-19, Comics, and the Visual Culture of Contagion

          Views 608

          Questions and Answers: Adolescents, Youth and COVID-19

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          These questions and answers were developed by the World Health Organization, UNESCO, UNFPA and UNICEF.

          Questions include:

          • Can adolescents catch COVID-19?
          • Can adolescents spread COVID-19 to other people even if they have mild or no symptoms?
          • Since there are few known cases of adolescents getting seriously ill with COVID-19, should I go to a health facility if I develop symptoms of the disease?
          • I am on medication for a chronic health condition. Should I change anything?
          • I am bored staying home. Since I am very unlikely to get severely ill even if I was to get COVID-19, why is it important that I follow the guidelines to prevent transmission such as keeping physical distance from other people?
          • I am feeling really anxious about COVID-19 and its impact on my life. What should I do?

          Source: Questions and Answers: Adolescents, Youth and COVID-19

            Views 975

            International COVID-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation Study

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            Understanding people’s concerns about COVID-19, their perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about public health policies, and how they impact what people are (and are not) willing to do will be important for informing policy strategy and how they are communicated, to ensure the best health and economic outcomes.

            The iCARE Study will capture key data on people’s awareness, attitudes, and behaviors as they relate to the COVID-19 policies, as well as the impacts that COVID-19 is having on people’s physical and mental health, financial situation, and quality of life.

            Data from approximately 250,000 people around the world will be analyzed to understand what government policies are (and are not) influencing behavior and outcomes, and in whom these policies are most or least effective. This data can be used to inform governments on the efficacy of policy measures on both people’s behavior, and on key health and quality of life outcomes.

            Source: International COVID-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation Study

              Views 1764

              COVID-19 Facilitator Guide

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              The Breakthrough ACTION Guyana COVID-19 Facilitator Guide is a set of cue cards that are used by community facilitators to conduct community meetings or one on one sessions with community members.

              The guide contains simple and important information about COVID-19 and helps the community facilitator in providing accurate information to the community.

              Source: COVID-19 Facilitator Guide

                Views 813

                Talking to Community: Behavioural Change in the Age of COVID-19

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                Response to public health emergencies requires changes in regular behavioural patterns. Encouraging these changes requires coordination and an understanding of the culture and communities affected.

                This article, written by Pramudith D. Rupasinghe, describes experiences with Ebola and COVID-19 wherein behavior change was an integral part of working with communities to prevent infection, care for the sick, and learn about the disease in Sri Lanka and Liberia.

                Source: Talking to Community: Behavioural Change in the Age of COVID-19

                  Views 986

                  Who to Trust and How to Overcome COVID-19 Misinformation in Nigeria

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                  In Nigeria, as in many countries, social media has allowed anyone to post COVID-19 misinformation as truth and fact, while misleading the public and, in some cases, causing real damage.

                  This article reviews some of the major misinformation events in Nigeria during the pandemic and notes the steps being taken to correct that situation.

                  Source: Who to Trust and How to Overcome COVID-19 Misinformation in Nigeria

                    Views 758