Coverage of Health Information by Different Sources in Communities: Implication for COVID-19 Epidemic Response

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-05, Vol.17 (10), p.3577
• Main Authors: Tran, Bach Xuan, Dang, Anh Kim, Thai, Phong Khanh, Le, Huong Thi, Le, Xuan Thanh Thi, Do, Toan Thanh Thi, Nguyen, Tu Huu, Pham, Hai Quang, Phan, Hai Thanh, Vu, Giang Thu, Phung, Dung Tri, Nghiem, Son Hong, Nguyen, Thu Ha, Tran, Trung Dinh, Do, Khanh Nam, Truong, Dat Van, Vu, Giap Van, Latkin, Carl A, Ho, Roger C M, Ho, Cyrus S H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Betacoronavirus; Communication; Community; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Emergency preparedness; Emergency response; Epidemics; Factor analysis; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Infections; Information sources; Male; Mass Media; Medical personnel; Medical students; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Principal components analysis; Respiratory distress syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; Social networks; Social organization; Students; Students, Medical; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vietnam; Workers; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103577

Health personnel and community workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 emergency response and need to be equipped with adequate knowledge related to epidemics for an effective response. This study aimed to identify the coverage of COVID-19 health information via different sources accessed by health workers and community workers in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study using a web-based survey was carried out from January to February 2020 in Vietnam. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was used for recruiting participants. We utilized the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to examine the construct validity of the questionnaire. A higher percentage of participants knew about "Clinical and pathogen characteristics of COVID-19", compared to "Regulations and policies related to COVID-19". The percentage of participants accessing the information on "Guidelines and policies on prevention and control of COVID-19" was the lowest, especially among medical students. "Mass media and peer-educators" channels had a higher score of accessing COVID-19 information, compared to "Organizations/ agencies/ associations" sources. Participants consumed most of their COVID-19 information via "Internet, online newspapers, social networks". Our findings indicate an urgency to re-design training programs and communication activities for a more effective dissemination of information related to the COVID-19 epidemic or epidemics in general.