Perceptions, risk and understandings of the COVID-19 pandemic in urban South Africa

Abstract

Background: How people perceive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and understand their risk can influence their health, behaviours and overall livelihood. The disease's novelty and severity have elicited a range of attitudes and perspectives countrywide, which consequently influence the public's adherence to public health prevention and treatment guidelines.Aim: To investigate perceptions, experiences and knowledge on COVID-19 in a communitybased cohort study.Setting: Adults living in Soweto in South Africa's Gauteng province during the first six weeks of the national lockdown regulations (i.e. Alert Level 5 lockdown from end of March to beginning of May 2020).Methods: Participants completed a series of surveys and answered open-ended questions through telephonic interviews (n = 391). We queried their perceptions of the origins of COVID-19, understandings of the disease, personal and communal risks and its relations with the existing disease burden.Results: Findings from our sample of 391 adults show that perceptions and knowledge of COVID-19 vary across several demographic characteristics. We report moderate levels of understanding about COVID-19, prevention methods and risk, as well as exposure to major physical, psychosocial and financial stressors. Depressive symptoms, perceived infection risk and concern about COVID-19 significantly predicted COVID-19 prevention knowledge. Conclusion:Public health communication campaigns should focus on continuing to improve knowledge and reduce misinformation associated with the virus. Policymakers should consider the mental health-and non-health-related impact of the pandemic on their citizens in order to curb the pandemic in a manner that maximises well-being.

Spatial Variations in Perceptions of COVID-19 in Relation to Socio-Economic Vulnerability in Gauteng, South Africa

“…In addition to this socio-economic disparity, the effects of the pandemic have been perceived differently by the various socio-economic groups across South Africa. This is also confirmed by studies such as those by Kim et al (2021) [11] who found in a study of 391 individuals in a part of Gauteng that socio-economic variables such as age, gender, level of education and household density played a significant role in shaping people's perceptions about the pandemic. Also, a Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) study by Reddy et al (2020) [12] found differences in perceptions of COVID-19 amongst the urban population, particularly with those living in informal settlements perceiving COVID-19 to be a major cause of their deteriorating living conditions as it resulted in their limited access to food and exacerbated their financial conditions [12] Spatial variations associated with socio-economic risk in COVID-19 studies have been conducted to identify areas with greater likelihood to be affected by the pandemic in order to optimise control programmes.…”

“…For Indians/Asians, living standards were a significant predictor of life satisfaction [30] These findings point to the importance of socio-demographic variables in predicting satisfaction with life. Socio-demographic variables have been shown in various studies to have a spatial bearing in South Africa, and to be important predictors of vulnerability [11,12]. The choropleth map depicted in Figure 3 shows the aggregated modelled results for life satisfaction during COVID-19.…”

Coping strategies employed by public psychiatric healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in southern Gauteng, South Africa

“…Additionally, comradery fostered between co-workers provided both emotional support and functional adaptations such as sharing or swapping shifts, which are associated with improved wellbeing through decreased burnout [ 49 ] and mental health issues [ 50 , 51 ], and increased job retention [ 19 , 52 ]. Communication between colleagues provided interpersonal connection and knowledge, which is associated with increased confidence [ 7 , 13 – 15 , 19 , 28 , 30 , 31 ]. Good communication and collaboration with management, described as being transparent, clear, and informative were also a source of support, possibly providing a buffer between traumatic stress at work and burnout or intent to resign [ 13 , 51 ].…”

Childhood adversity during the post‐apartheid transition and COVID‐19 stress independently predict adult PTSD risk in urban South Africa: A biocultural analysis of the stress sensitization hypothesis

“…Psychosocial stress from the COVID‐19 pandemic was assessed using a locally‐developed, 20‐item Likert‐based scale that queried the severity of stress brought on by 20 separate experiences and conditions over the course of the pandemic since March 2020 to the time of data collection (Kim, n.d.). These included experiences such as financial strain, food insecurity, inability to socialize, and concerns about one's future, among others.…”