COVID-19 pandemic, challenges, and opportunities in Northern Uganda; Community overview and perspectives: A qualitative study using informant interviews.

Abstract

Background Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a virus that causes COVID-19, has overwhelmingly interrupted human activities worldwide, especially in the low-to-middle income countries. Not much is reported about exclusive challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic in some remote communities in Africa. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the community’s views and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Uganda. Methods We interviewed 36 participants (age range, 28-63 years), including health workers, civil servants, members of civil society, security forces, politicians, and staff of local government administration who were members of COVID-19 district task forces in Northern Uganda using qualitative study methods between August and September 2021. The initial selection of participants was purposeful, but the snowballing technique was later used to select others. The interview questions were pre-tested among health workers and laypersons who were not part of the main study. Participants described how the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges and opportunities, and the experience could be used to strengthen community resolves to control the pandemic and any other in the future. A local IRB approved this study. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The current study findings revealed challenges but many opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic in this community, including loss of lives and livelihoods, increased poverty, lack of personal protection equipment, uncertainties, stress, and anxiety among health workers in the community. However, it also offered opportunities for quality family time, increased engagement, sensitization, and mobilization of communities for health, improved general security of persons and property, increased budgets and logistics for government departments, reduced incidences of diarrheal diseases and road traffic accidents, increased incomes for task force members, and more interactions among members during task force meetings. Conclusion Although the COVID-19 pandemic presented enormous challenges to low-to-middle-income countries, there are opportunities in some communities that are worth mentioning. Information obtained in this study has practical lessons that disease control experts could use to develop strategies to organize communities better and conduct disease surveillance activities for the COVID-19 pandemic and others.

Is it COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy or inquisitiveness? Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the adult population in Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study.

“…Studies show that vaccine acceptance is linked to the community's con dence in the healthcare systems, the health workers, cultural background, attitudes, beliefs, perception, political, environmental, personal factors, and compliance to face mask-wearing guidelines [11,37,38,39]. The authors found that the two districts, just like the others, set up COVID-19 district task forces layered to the village health teams (VHTs) who promoted COVID-19 vaccinations at all levels [40]. The village health teams are vital in connecting the community with the health care systems [40].…”

“…The authors found that the two districts, just like the others, set up COVID-19 district task forces layered to the village health teams (VHTs) who promoted COVID-19 vaccinations at all levels [40]. The village health teams are vital in connecting the community with the health care systems [40]. Authors argue that the roles of VHT in disease prevention and promotion in the Ugandan healthcare systems are sometimes under-looked by some policymakers.…”

Facemask wearing in COVID-19 pandemic: Correlates and prevalence; A survey after COVID-19 second wave in Uganda

“…24,25 In addition, district task forces set up by the Government of Uganda along the layers of administrative structures (national, districts, and communities) to support the management, prevention, and control of COVID-19 pandemic in communities met weekly to discuss new developments and plans of action. 24,25 Further, the President of Uganda had announced new methods of work in public settings, whereby only 30% of staff in public and private organizations were allowed physically in offices. 24,25 These COVID-19 control measures were intended to disrupt day-to-day contact between management, administration, and the community to interrupt the cycle of physical person-to-person contacts to break the transmission cycle of COVID-19.…”

“…24,25 Further, the President of Uganda had announced new methods of work in public settings, whereby only 30% of staff in public and private organizations were allowed physically in offices. 24,25 These COVID-19 control measures were intended to disrupt day-to-day contact between management, administration, and the community to interrupt the cycle of physical person-to-person contacts to break the transmission cycle of COVID-19. 24,25 Study participants and sampling techniques: We sampled five hundred and eighty-seven adult respondents recruited by a single stage stratified and systematic sampling techniques, and data was collected using a questionnaire.…”

“…24,25 These COVID-19 control measures were intended to disrupt day-to-day contact between management, administration, and the community to interrupt the cycle of physical person-to-person contacts to break the transmission cycle of COVID-19. 24,25 Study participants and sampling techniques: We sampled five hundred and eighty-seven adult respondents recruited by a single stage stratified and systematic sampling techniques, and data was collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire had two sections: Section A contained information on respondents' sociodemographic characteristics and health background information (age, sex, occupation, tribe, religion, district, employment status, race, highest level of education, marital status, and habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol, and comorbidities such as obesity, Asthma, heart diseases, hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, and HIV and AIDS).…”