This short guide includes important considerations and resources to support country programs in recognizing and working to reduce stigma around COVID-19.
Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) had prioritized Ethiopia, among 13 African countries, as the most vulnerable countries for importation of COVID-19. A recent Lancet publication reiterated this by describing Ethiopia as a highly vulnerable country with substantially larger population potential exposed yet with moderate capacity to contain the spread of the infection.
Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) is an essential component of health emergency readiness and response activities. The Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI) has been proactively working on emergency readiness and response activities on COVID-19 since late January 2020. The Emergency Operation Center (EOC), housed in EPHI and usually activated during public health emergencies in the country, started its work by establishing a technical working group (TWG) on RCCE comprised of different stakeholders and health development partners.
Breakthrough ACTION Ethiopia is working closely with EPHI on COVID-19. To date, efforts have included technical assistance, training, tool development, and risk communication materials design, and logistical support to EPHI. The scope also includes focused support to the RCCE TWG, coordination on preparedness and response activities among several implementing partners, and training for Ethiopian Airlines flight and ground crew, as well as urban health extension workers and religious leaders.
Thus far, the project has produced the following materials:
PSAs for Amhara, Central, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray:
Prevention methods
Misconceptions
Avoiding panic
Social distancing
Stigma
Source (Amharic – Amhara, Central):
Source (Oromo):
Source (Amharic – SNNPR):
Source: (Tigrigna):
Print materials for Amhara, Central, Oromia, SNNPR and Tigray:
This guide was created to help community workers, volunteers and community networks to provide timely and actionable health information, so that people know how to protect themselves and stay healthy.
It offers three steps:
Step 1: How to Engage – Simple tips for interacting with communities
Step 2: Ask the right questions – Key guidance for community discussions, including addressing stigma and xenophobia
Step 3: What to say – Essential knowledge to share with communities and Frequently Asked Questions that can guide a discussion
It is important to remember that people – including those of Asian descent – who do not live in or have not recently been in an area of ongoing spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, or have not been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are not at greater risk of spreading COVID-19 than other Americans.
COVID-19 is a serious disease and all people living with HIV should take all recommended preventive measures to minimize exposure to, and prevent infection by, the virus that causes COVID-19. As in the general population, older people living with HIV or people living with HIV with heart or lung problems may be at a higher risk of becoming infected with the virus and of suffering more serious symptoms.
This brochure outlines precautions that people living with HIV and key populations should follow to prevent COVID-19 infection.
https://covid19communicationnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/unaidsHivCovid.png708791Shane Harperhttps://covid19communicationnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/covid19commnetworkLogoImage.jpgShane Harper2020-04-20 14:26:292020-04-23 14:49:01What People Living with HIV Need to Know about HIV and COVID-19