…Pressure to get economies going, posses a danger that this will complicate efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
By Ayo Kehinde
Brand-new research by the Partnership for Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 (PERC), a consortium of global public health organisations and private sector firms that includes Africa CDC, suggests that the pandemic is affecting the poorest and most vulnerable people most, and widened inequalities along existing lines.
According to the study, a significant number of people are experiencing missed or delayed health care services, and due to widespread shortages of personal protective equipment, health workers may be at risk of becoming exposed while at work.
Most African countries implemented public health and social measures early; some have since loosened, in particular to allow return to school and places of worship. Many countries now require masks in public, but the new research suggests that public perception of the personal risk of catching COVID-19 has decreased (possibly reflecting general fatigue with public health and social measures) and, coupled with pressure to get economies going, there’s a danger that this will complicate efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
At the same time, harmful narratives are circulating about the virus as well as foreign interference in treatments and vaccines.
Based on public opinion polls conducted by telephone from 4 August to 17 August 2020, the samples were drawn to be nationally representative of each Member State; weighting was applied by gender and region to align the final data with the population. The weighted national sample size in each of the surveyed Member States is 1,200 completed interviews.
Areas subjected to the research included; Information, Perception and Misinformation; Risk Perception; Satisfaction with COVID-19 Responses; Public Health and Social Measures; Economic and Food Relief Measures; Impact on Health Care Services; Face Mask Perception and Use; Concern About Resuming Activities and Expectations About COVID-19.
On Information, Perception & Misinformation
There is a high level of knowledge about preventive measures, said the research, adding that there is a sizeable minority who found statements about foreigners discrediting African medicines and testing vaccines on nationals to be credible
Risk Perception:
Fewer than one in three respondents across Member States surveyed perceive they are at risk of contracting COVID-19. However, one in two respondents across all Member States surveyed believe that if they were infected, COVID-19 will have a serious impact on their health.
Satisfaction With COVID-19 Response
While a majority in each country express satisfaction with the response of their government, there are wide variations, ranging from a bare majority in Nigeria to strong satisfaction in Ghana. There are similarly strong levels of trust for the presidencies, health ministries, hospitals and family physicians across Member States surveyed. The figures showed Presidency at 74%; Ministry of Health at 79%; Hospital/ Health Care Centers at 76%; Own Family doctor at 75%; Traditional Healers at 32%
Public Health and Social Measures
There is support for and adherence to personal PHSMs such as wearing a face- mask and washing hands. PHSMs that impose restrictions on activities, such as going to the church or mosque, and stay-at-home orders, have lower levels of support and adherence.
Face Mask Perception and Use
While most agree that people wearing face- masks are being careful, about two in five believe that those wearing a mask may be infected with the virus. Perhaps due to regulation as much as opinion, nearly everyone polled reported having a face mask ready to wear (large majorities also reported wearing face masks.
While 96% have a face mask ready to wear, there is problem with Adherence: Wear a Face Mask in Public Around Others Completely applies: 71% Mostly applies: 14%
Impact on Health Care Services
Close to half of respondents have experienced missed or delayed health care services. Incidence is higher among those reporting long standing illness or health problems. Concern about going out and risk of catching COVID19 was the most frequently mentioned reason. One in four respondents report that accessing medication has been much more difficult as a result of the pandemic.
Types of services missed or delayed General/routine check up 28%, Malaria, 15%, Cardiovascular issues 10 % Diabetes 8% Antenatal care, 5% Care for children aged under 5, 5%.
Economic and Food Relief Measures
A majority of those polled have experienced barriers to purchasing food due to high prices and/or because their income has declined. Three in four income earners are reporting lower income than last year. This is particularly pronounced among those in urban centers and those with lower incomes. Two in five report they are spending more hours on unpaid work.
Concerns About Resuming Normal Activities
There is an anxiety that permeates across all countries about resuming normal activities, with Guinea recording the highest levels of anxiety and Zimbabwe relatively lower. Despite this anxiety, there is a majority who would feel comfortable taking public transportation if it wasn’t too busy
Expectations About COVID-19
Some people say that loosening restrictions now puts too many people at risk of contracting COVID-19 and we need to wait at least a few more weeks. Other people say that the health risk is minimal if people follow social distancing rules and we need to get the economy moving again.
In the trade-off between getting the economy moving and too much risk in loosening restrictions, the balance is in favour of getting the economy moving. However, several countries are divided on this measure.
Regardless, almost half agree it will be at least six months before the coronavirus is contained.
