Speaking COVID-19: supporting COVID-19 communication and engagement efforts with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Abstract

Background Since the emergence of COVID-19, issues have been raised regarding the approach used to engage with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities during this public health crisis. This study aimed to understand the factors impacting communication and engagement efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of crucial CaLD community stakeholders and opinion leaders. Methods Forty-six semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders who have an active role (established before the pandemic) in delivering services and other social support to CaLD communities in Australia. Results Seven key themes emerged: (1) the digital divide and how to connect with people; (2) information voids being filled by international material; (3) Differentiating established with new and emerging communities’ needs; (4) speaking COVID-19; (5) ineffectiveness of direct translations of English language resources; (6) coordination is needed to avoid duplication and address gaps and (7) recognising the improvements in governments’ approach. Conclusion Alliances must be set up that can be activated in the future to reduce issues around resource development, translation, and dissemination of messages to minimise gaps in the response. Financial assistance must be provided in a timely way to community organisations to support the development and dissemination of culturally appropriate communication materials.

‘Corona is coming’: COVID‐19 vaccination perspectives and experiences amongst Culturally and Linguistically Diverse West Australians

“…In fact, some of our research team assisted participants to book vaccination appointments on their smartphones after the focus groups or provide further information to partners who waited in the car park to speak with them. It is not just our participants who struggled with the online booking system: Seale et al 29 describe a ‘digital divide’ in which those without access to the internet and have low English proficiency are disadvantaged in their ability to access COVID‐19 vaccines, and Biddle et al 27 identified that Australians who completed the 2016 census on paper rather than online had a lower probability of vaccination, suggesting that individuals with lower digital literacy may experience more barriers to vaccination. Booking systems must be accessible to varying levels of digital literacy and English proficiency.…”

“… 35 In eastern Australia, Mahimbo et al 9 identified that CALD communities are eager for community engagement, and for their leaders to champion the vaccine. Seale et al 29 identified that while some CALD organizations in Australia were updating local CALD leaders on relevant COVID‐19 information to share with their community, there was a lack of training in how to do so. Training influential community leaders can occur over a relatively short period of time: a COVID‐19 information and support programme was offered in the United States to CALD community leaders which involved 1‐hour conference calls twice a week (we acknowledge that this is then reliant on the leaders having a decent level of computer literacy.)…”

“…Training influential community leaders can occur over a relatively short period of time: a COVID‐19 information and support programme was offered in the United States to CALD community leaders which involved 1‐hour conference calls twice a week (we acknowledge that this is then reliant on the leaders having a decent level of computer literacy.) 29 Further, given the trust and respect our participants held for their health practitioners, it is imperative that governments support GPs to effectively communicate about COVID‐19 vaccination with CALD patients; this requires resources, training and remuneration. 36 Since our data collection, the Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance have published a COVID‐19 decision aid in Greek, Vietnamese, Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.…”

“…Seale et al this is then reliant on the leaders having a decent level of computer literacy. )29 Further, given the trust and respect our participants held for their health practitioners, it is imperative that governments support GPs to effectively communicate about COVID-19 vaccination with CALD patients; this requires resources, training and remuneration 36. Since our data collection, the Australian…”

“…29 identified that while some CALD organizations in Australia were updating local CALD leaders on relevant COVID-19 information to share with their community, there was a lack of training in how to do so. Training influential community leaders can occur over a relatively short period of time: a COVID-19 information and support programme was offered in the United States to CALD community leaders which involved 1-hour conference calls twice a week (we acknowledge that…”