COVID-19 information and self-protective behaviors among rural communities in tropical forests

Abstract

Background Health risk communication plays a key role in promoting self-protective measures, which are critical in suppressing COVID-19 contagion. Relatively little is known about the communication channels used by rural poor populations to learn novel measures and their effectiveness in promoting self-protective behaviors. Behavioral change can be shaped by people’s trust in government institutions which may be differentiated by social identity, including indigeneity. Methods During an early phase of the pandemic, we conducted two telephone surveys with over 460 communities – both Indigenous and mestizo – without road access and limited communication access in the Peruvian Amazon. This is the first report on the association of information sources about self-protective measures against COVID-19 with the adoption of self-protective behaviors in remote rural areas in developing countries. Results People mainly relied on mass media (radio, television, newspapers) and interpersonal sources (local authorities, health workers, neighbors/relatives) for information and adopted handwashing, mask-wearing, social distancing, and social restrictions to varying degrees. Overall, self-protective behaviors were largely positively and negatively associated with mass media and interpersonal sources, respectively, depending on the source-measure combination. Mistrust of the government seems to have shaped how Indigenous and mestizo peoples distinctively responded to interpersonal information sources and relied on mass media. Conclusions Our findings call for improved media access to better manage pandemics in rural areas, especially among remote Indigenous communities.

Disposable Face-Mask Waste Management and Assessment Through Willingness to Pay and SWOT Framework in Post COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Even in a critical situation such as a pandemic, it really helps people to socialize with other people because the mindset of each individual believes that masks can protect themselves from viral infections [12]. However, in indigenous communities in rural areas, these preventive measures tend to give a negative response [22].…”

“…Generally, masks are only used for medical purposes and are now being used massively by the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic period has made masks the main thing among the public that must be used in outdoor and indoor activities as a preventive measure to avoid the virus [20][21][22], as well as very strict regulations governing the use of community masks [23][24][25]. Indonesia had a percentage of 82% compliance with use in 2020, this is due to the policy to use masks when mobility is outside [26].…”

COVID-19 contagion across remote communities in tropical forests

“…Poor communication infrastructure is likely to have caused important delays and gaps in information, or misunderstandings about COVID-19 43 , 44 . Distinct from internet and cell phone, information was received by community leaders through radiophone.…”

“… Rural people’s self-protective behaviors are also key in suppressing contagion. Although improving communication access can promote such behaviors and facilitate data collection 43 , who receives information and how it is used may shape the adoption of unfamiliar individual behaviors 44 . This applies also to communication for promoting COVID-19 vaccination 48 , 49 .…”

COVID-19 information seeking and individuals’ protective behaviors: examining the role of information sources and information content

“…However, those who relied on friends or family members were less likely to take preventive behaviors. Similarly, Takasaki, Coomes [ 26 ] found a negative relationship between interpersonal sources (local authorities, health workers, and neighbors/relatives) and individuals’ preventive actions. Gehrau, Fujarski [ 27 ] and Piltch-Loeb, Savoia [ 28 ] presented that searching information from traditional media, especially National TV, Newspapers, and local newspapers, increased the possibility of vaccine intention.…”