Key Considerations: Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Greater Kampala, Uganda

Jones, Theresa A.; Storer, Elisabeth

doi:10.19088/sshap.2022.005

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…These measures included: closure of non-essential businesses, restaurants, bars, educational institutions, preventing social gatherings, and imposing lockdowns to restrict the movement of people [ 7 ]. The Ugandan government through its Ministry of Health adopted and encouraged the massive adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures [ 8 ]. In Uganda, these measures are mainly referred to as ‘COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures’ or ‘COVID-19 SOPs’.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, for purposes of this paper, we shall refer to them as ‘COVID-19 preventive measures’. For the case of Uganda, a number of COVID-19 preventive measures were enforced by the government and these include: getting vaccinated against COVID-19, maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres (6 feet) between persons, avoiding public gatherings and crowds, avoiding hand shaking and hugging, regularly washing hands with soap and running water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and wearing a face mask properly while always covering the nose and mouth when in public [ 8 ]. There were preventive measures that were specific for a particular context including market-places, schools, churches, work places, when using public transportation, and when conducting ‘safe’ mass gatherings [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Napyo,

Hopp,

Mukunya

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background: Public transportation plays a vital role in increasing transmission of COVID-19 due to the high-risk confined spaces in vehicles. It is therefore very crucial to employ the use of COVID-19 prevention measures during the use of public transportation to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission. The success of the implementation and use of these measures depends largely on the public transportation users. We aimed at exploring the awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in Eastern Uganda. Methods: This qualitative study was done in Eastern Uganda between January and February 2021. We conducted four focus group discussions, six in-depth interviews and three key informant interviews to document the awareness, perceptions and challenges faced by public transport operators including 10 boda boda riders, 19 taxi operators and 11 truck (cargo) transporters. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVIVO software Version 12 plus using a thematic framework approach. Results: Generally public transport operators were aware of that COVID-19 exists, its symptoms, how it’s transmitted and ways in which it can be prevented.. However, they were not aware of what causes it and had misconceptions that it’s spread through food and mosquitoes. Meanwhile some participants perceived COVID-19 as non-existent and that it was manufactured as a biological weapon. Some COVID-19 measures were perceived as having worked well during the pandemic like putting sanctions at the country borders, vaccination, observing hand hygiene, wearing a face mask, avoiding to touch the ‘soft parts’, quarantining in a hospital setting and social distancing. The COVID-19 preventive measures perceived as having not worked well were: home isolation, covid vaccination, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, setting up curfew time, wearing a face mask, and reducing the number of passengers in the taxis and other public transportation vehicles. Challenges faced were mainly: financial loss resulting from reduction of passengers that used public transportation and setting up of curfew time, passengers not being able to use alcohol base hand sanitizer due to religious beliefs, loss of trust in public transportation by the public, hostility and defiance from passengers, competition for passengers among public transport operators and being mistreated by implementers of COVID-19 preventive measures like police. Various key players in the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures included: the government, health workers, media, leaders in public transport and the police. Conclusion and recommendation: Our study brings to light insights on the likely challenges that impede the use of preventive measures in public transportation use during an epidemic / pandemic like COVID-19 which could potentially escalate transmission. Focus should be put to the demystification of myths on COVID-19. Public transport passengers should be sensitized on risk of COVID-19 transmission during public transportation use and on the importance of complying with COVID-19 preventive measures. We recommend further exploration on the challenges faced by the public transportation passengers in implementing preventive measures in the event of an epidemic like COVID-19.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Napyo,

Hopp,

Mukunya

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Napyo,

Hopp,

Mukunya

et al. 2024

Discov Health Systems

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Background Public transportation plays a major role in the transmission of SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, due to the confined spaces in vehicles. It is therefore very crucial to apply COVID-19 prevention measures in public transportation to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission. The implementation of these measures depends largely on the public transportation users. We explored the awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in Eastern Uganda. Methods This qualitative study was done in Eastern Uganda in January and February 2021. We conducted four focus group discussions, six in-depth interviews and three key informant interviews to document the awareness, perceptions and challenges faced by public transport operators including 10 boda boda riders, 19 taxi operators and 11 truck (cargo) transporters. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with the help of NVIVO software version 12 plus using a thematic framework approach. Results We relied on the health belief model to report on four broad themes including: Perceived threat, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and cues to action. Perceived threat Participants were aware of the gravity / seriousness of COVID-19. They were aware that it is an unusual flu whose symptoms are severe and clearly distinguishable from the common flu. They also knew that COVID-19 is easily and quickly transmitted. However they were not aware of the cause of COVID-19. Perceived benefits: the participants perceived a number covid 19 preventive measures as beneficial in preventing COVID-19. These included: COVID 19 vaccination, observing hand hygiene, avoiding touching the ‘soft parts’ (eyes, nose and mouth), quarantining in a hospital setting, wearing a face mask, social distancing,. Perceived barriers: participants reported barriers to implementing COVID 19 preventive measures included Misconceptions about COVID 19, scepticism about COVID-19 vaccination, not breathing well or respiratory problems hinders use of face masks, fear of covid 19 transmission during home isolation, design of the vehicles do not favour social distancing, passengers unwilling to pay the fare, natural reflexes come in the way of not touching soft parts, financial constraints, hostility from passengers due to increased transport fares, law enforcement officials prioritizing the driving permit over implementation of the measures, hostility from law enforcement officials, religious beliefs against the use of alcohol, competing for passengers among public transporters. Cues to action included Mass sensitization by the Ugandan government through the ministry of health with the help of media platforms like television. Conclusions and recommendation Our study brings to light the likely barriers that impede the use of preventive measures in public transportation use during an epidemic / pandemic like COVID-19 which could potentially escalate transmission. During cues to action like sensitization through media, focus should be put to the demystification of myths on COVID-19, highlighting on benefits of using preventive measures and risk of disease. Public transport passengers should be sensitized on risk of COVID-19 transmission during public transportation use and on the importance of complying with COVID-19 preventive measures. We recommend further exploration on the challenges faced by the public transportation passengers in implementing preventive measures in the event of an epidemic like COVID-19. Future research is required to establish a more robust transport model in crisis situations such as a pandemic. In addition, there is need for integration between the public health and public transportation sectors to foster epidemic preparedness for future crises in the context of public transportation.

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Key Considerations: Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Greater Kampala, Uganda

Cited by 2 publications

References 14 publications

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

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