Countering Stigmatization in the Humanitarian Response to COVID-19

/in , , , , /by

Stigma related to mental health and COVID-19 can exacerbate pre-existing conditions or lead to new mental health and psycho-social problems for individuals, families, and communities.

Many humanitarian crises affect people who are traveling or who are displaced and already experiencing significant stigmatization from the host communities where they reside. Host communities have often accused displaced populations of bringing crime and disease, leaving them isolated and more vulnerable to mental health and psycho-social problems. This can exacerbate negative perceptions of—and violence against—those who have or are believed to carry the virus.

This report highlights key findings and recommendations outlined in a webinar and roundtable event hosted by the InterAction Protection Working Group in July 2020.

Source: Countering Stigmatization in the Humanitarian Response to COVID-19

    Views 986

    Why Misinformation about COVID-19’s Origins Keeps Going Viral

    /in , , , /by

    Despite the objections of experts to the publication of articles before they have been peer reviewed, this report states,that pre-reviewed articles and other types of misinformation have gained traction on social media because they take advantage of vulnerable human emotions. Those feelings can drive the viral spread of hoaxes.

    The author provides several reasons why misinformation spreads easily:

    • The way people react to emotional stories on social media is intense and predictable. Vitriol fills the replies, and false news then becomes 70 percent more likely to be retweeted than the truth.
    • A complicated combination of psychological factors is at work whenever a reader decides to share news, and otherwise smart people can become part of the cycle of disinformation.
    • Readers cut corners, often sharing stories with grabby headlines before looking deeper into the story itself.
    • If you hear something twice, you’re more likely to think that it’s true than if you’ve only heard it once
    • Political news travels faster than the rest of false news

    Source: Why Misinformation about COVID-19’s Origins Keeps Going Viral

      Views 897

      Why the Promotion of Family Planning Makes More Sense Now Than Ever Before?

      /in , /by

      This article analyses the possible consequences of the pandemic on the rights of individuals and couples and endeavours to provide justifications for continued national commitment and investments in family planning.

      As sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the author states that it is critical to focus on ensuring rights-based family planning, because it is intimately associated with fundamental human rights, addresses the issue of equity, equality and universality and provides valid and practical solutions to the vital economic quagmire that has unfolded as a consequence of this global crisis.

      Source: Why the Promotion of Family Planning Makes More Sense Now Than Ever Before?

        Views 641

        How to Manage Coronavirus Anxiety During Pregnancy

        /in , , , , /by

        Around the world, the rapid spread of the coronavirus and attempts to slow down the virus’s spread have led to dramatic shifts in day-to-day life and routines. Everyone feels uneasy by the news, not to mention the social distancing guidelines which require us to adopt self-isolation. These are stressful times. But for moms-to-be, there are additional concerns, too.

        Source: How to Manage Coronavirus Anxiety During Pregnancy

          Views 817

          Classroom Precautions During COVID-19

          /in , , /by

          This article aims to support teachers with information and tips on various topics.

          These include:

          Source: Classroom Precautions During COVID-19

            Views 637

            Mental Health & COVID-19

            /in , , , , , /by

            WHO, together with partners, is providing guidance and advice during the COVID-19 pandemic for health workers, managers of health facilities, people who are looking after children, older adults, people in isolation and members of the public more generally, to help us look after our mental health.

            Further materials relating to looking after our mental health during the COVID pandemic will be added to this page as they become available.

            Source: Mental Health & COVID-19

              Views 569

              Building Resilient Societies after COVID-19: The Case for Investing in Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health

              /in , , /by

              Although it is only possible to recognize resilience retrospectively, the COVID-19 pandemic has occurred at a point in human history when, uniquely, sufficient knowledge is available on the early-life determinants of health to indicate clearly that a focus on maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) will promote later resilience.

              This knowledge offers an unprecedented opportunity to disrupt entrenched strategies and to reinvest in MNCH in the post-COVID-19 so-called new normal. Furthermore, analysis of the short-term, medium-term, and longer-term consequences of previous socioeconomic shocks provides important insights into those domains of MNCH, such as neurocognitive development and nutrition, for which investment will generate the greatest benefit.

              Furthermore, analysis of the short-term, medium-term, and longer-term consequences of previous socioeconomic shocks provides important insights into those domains of MNCH, such as neurocognitive development and nutrition, for which investment will generate the greatest benefit. Such considerations apply to high-income countries (HICs) and low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, implementing appropriate policies in the post-COVID-19 recovery period will be challenging and requires political commitment and public engagement.

              Source: Building Resilient Societies after COVID-19: The Case for Investing in Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health

                Views 458

                Providing Maternal Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal

                /in , , , , /by

                By the beginning of 2020, Nepal had reached a tipping point with over 60% of births occurring in a health facility—a three times increase from just 18% in 2006.

                National lockdown happened very early in Nepal, on March 21, 2020, well before any community spread of COVID-19. The lockdown took the form of severe restrictions on transport and closure of outpatient departments of many hospitals.

                In this article, the authors compare intrapartum care before and during the lockdown period in Nepal. The number of institutional births decreased by 52·4% during the first 2 months of lockdown, and women in relatively disadvantaged ethnic groups were found to be affected more than those in more advantaged groups, indicating a widening equity gap due to COVID-19. They also found that quality of care in the hospitals was compromised compared with before lockdown.

                Source: Providing Maternal Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nepal

                  Views 491

                  Vaccine Confidence: A Global Analysis Exploring Volatility, Polarization, and Trust

                  /in , , , /by

                  This study reports that there is growing evidence of vaccine delays or refusals due to a lack of trust in the importance, safety, or effectiveness of vaccines, alongside persisting access issues. Although immunization coverage is reported administratively across the world, no similarly robust monitoring system exists for vaccine confidence. In this study, vaccine confidence was mapped across 149 countries between 2015 and 2019.

                  The study’s findings highlight the importance of regular monitoring to detect emerging trends to prompt interventions to build and sustain vaccine confidence.

                  Source: Vaccine Confidence: A Global Analysis Exploring Volatility, Polarization, and Trust

                    Views 538

                    Gearing Up for Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Communication

                    /in , /by

                    This article offers tips to prepare for effective COVID-19 vaccine communication.

                    The tips are:

                    • Resist the urge to overpromise.
                    • Be honest about what we don’t know.
                    • Stick to solid ground.
                    • Build trust in the process.
                    • Go back to basics.

                    Source: Gearing Up for Effective COVID-19 Vaccine Communication

                      Views 818