COVID-19 Social Science and Public Engagement Action Research in Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal (SPEAR): Protocol for a mixed methods study exploring the experiences and impacts of COVID-19 for healthcare workers and vulnerable communities

Abstract

Background: When the novel coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – started to spread globally, there was a call for social and behavioral scientists to conduct research to explore the wider socio-cultural contexts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to understand vulnerabilities, as well as to increase engagement within communities to facilitate adoption of public health measures. In this manuscript, we describe the protocol for a study conducted in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. In the study, we explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting individuals and their communities. We focus on the wider health and economic impacts of COVID-19, in particular emerging and increased burden on mental health, as well as new or deepened vulnerabilities in the communities. The introduction of vaccines has added another layer of complexity and highlights differences in acceptance and inequalities around access. Methods: We use mixed methods, combining survey methods and social media surveillance to gain a picture of the general situation within each country, with in-depth qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of issues, coupled with a synergistic engagement component. We also include an exploration of the role of social media in revealing or driving perceptions of the pandemic more broadly. Participants include health workers and members of communities from 13 sites across the three countries. Data collection is spread across two phases. Phase 1 is concerned with exploring lived experiences, impacts on working lives and livelihoods, mental health and coping strategies. Phase 2 is concerned with acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, factors that increase and reduce acceptance, and factors that influence access. Conclusions: We will disseminate findings in multiple ways including short reports and policy briefs, articles in peer-reviewed journals, and digital diaries will be edited into short films and uploaded onto social media sites.

Social cohesion among healthcare workers during COVID-19: Qualitative research in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam

“…We used a subset of data collected as part of the ‘Social Science and Engagement Action Research’ (SPEAR) study, which was a social science study using quantitative, qualitative, and participant-led methods with HCW and community member participants over two phases across sites in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam ( Van Nuil et al, 2021 ). In Indonesia, we worked in three main provinces including, DKI Jakarta, West Java and Nusa Tenggara Timur.…”

Indonesian healthcare professionals’ experiences in rural and urban settings during the first wave of COVID-19: A qualitative study

“…SPEAR is mixed-methods social science and community engagement study using quantitative surveys, key informant discussions (KIDs), IDIs, and participant-led digital diaries across 13 sites in Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam. SPEAR is divided into two main phases, which is fully described in a protocol paper [ 10 ]. The overarching aim of SPEAR Phase 1 was to explore the lived experiences and impact of COVID-19 on HCWs, health-related staff, and vulnerable communities in 13 sites, while the aim of Phase 2 was to explore themes surrounding acceptance and accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines within the same settings.…”

“…We used participant mapping based on information from the survey including demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender), job related specifics (e.g., position or role), and responses to specific questions of interest. Most participants (75%) were recruited from the mapping [ 10 ] while the remaining participants (25%) were recruited from leaders within the study sites based on the key informants’ advice. Participants were selected from five hospitals (three hospitals in Sumba and one hospital in Jakarta and Bandung each) and 15 PHCs (four in Jakarta, five in Bandung, and six in Sumba).…”

“…hospital, primary care levels). As part of a multi-country social science and public engagement action research (SPEAR) project [ 10 ], we conducted a qualitative study, based on in-depth interviews (IDIs) with a range of HCWs, to explore challenges faced by HCWs working in clinical, non-clinical and managerial roles, and across different healthcare levels and geographic settings in Indonesia.…”

Conducting Social Science Research During Epidemics and Pandemics: Lessons Learnt

“…The COVID-19 Social Science and Public Engagement Action Research (SPEAR) in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal is a multi-country study using multiple methods to explore the experiences and impacts of COVID-19 for healthcare workers (HCWs) and vulnerable communities, including participants from 13 Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU)–related sites across Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam (Van Nuil et al, 2021). Data collection took place over a period of 24 months from September 2020 until August 2022, and analysis for some components is ongoing (Figure 3).…”