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Van Nuil JI, Schmidt-Sane M, Bowmer A, Brindle H, Chambers M, Dien R, Fricke C, Hong YNT, Kaawa-Mafigiri D, Lewycka S, Rijal S, Lees S. Conducting Social Science Research During Epidemics and Pandemics: Lessons Learnt. Qual Health Res 2023; 33:815-827. [PMID: 37403253 PMCID: PMC10323519 DOI: 10.1177/10497323231185255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how field-based research is being conducted globally. Given the challenges of undertaking fieldwork during epidemics and the need for mixed methods research to address the social, political, and economic issues related to epidemics, there is a small but growing body of evidence in this area. To contribute to the logistical and ethical considerations for conducting research during a pandemic, we draw on the challenges and lessons learnt from adapting methods for two research studies conducted in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings: (1) in-person research in Uganda and (2) combined remote and in-person research in South and Southeast Asia. Our case studies focus on data collection and demonstrate the feasibility of conducting mixed methods research, even with many logistical and operational constraints. Social science research is often used to identify the context of specific issues, to provide a needs assessment, or inform longer-term planning; however, these case studies have shown the need to integrate social science research from the start of a health emergency and in a systematic way. Social science research during future health emergencies can also inform public health responses during the emergency. It is also crucial to collect social science data after health emergencies to inform future pandemic preparedness. Finally, researchers need to continue research on other public health issues that are ongoing even during a public health emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer I. Van Nuil
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Alex Bowmer
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hannah Brindle
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mary Chambers
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford, UK
| | - Ragil Dien
- Eijkman Oxford Clinical Research Unit (EOCRU), Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Yen Nguyen T. Hong
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Sonia Lewycka
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Samita Rijal
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Shelley Lees
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Blanco-Penedo MJ, Brindle H, Schmidt-Sane M, Bowmer A, Iradukunda C, Mfitundinda H, Rwemisisi J, Mukiibi GN, Fricke C, Carter S, Kaawa-Mafigiri D, Lees S. Risk perception of Ebola virus disease and COVID-19 among transport drivers living in Ugandan border districts. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1123330. [PMID: 37397743 PMCID: PMC10308013 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1123330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cross-border movements between districts bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are common due to the interdependence between populations on either side, though this increases the risk of the international spread of infectious diseases. Due to the nature of their work, boda boda drivers (motorcycle taxis), taxis and truck drivers continue to cross the border during epidemics. However, perceived risk of contracting and spreading communicable diseases may be influenced by several factors such as the level of education, packaging and perception of health care messages, limited interaction with local socio-cultural dynamics or personal experiences. This study aims to explore differences in movement patterns and risk perceptions as factors for transmission among transport drivers in Ugandan border districts during the 2018-2020 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic and the current COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Between May and June 2021, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with transport drivers in three Ugandan districts bordering DRC (Kasese, Kisoro and Hoima). Participants were asked about their knowledge and beliefs about EVD and COVID-19, perceived risk during epidemics, reasons for, and travel patterns during the EVD epidemic and COVID- 19 pandemic. A thematic content analysis was applied. Results Participants' awareness of EVD was higher than that of COVID-19 however, the risk of transmission of Ebola virus was perceived as a remote threat. Measures restricting mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on transport drivers compared to those implemented during the EVD epidemic, and were perceived as prohibitive rather than protective, largely due to fear of reprisals by security officers. Despite this, drivers were unlikely to be able to comply with the restrictions as they relied on their work as a source of income. Conclusion The vulnerabilities of transport drivers should be considered in the context of epidemics such EVD and COVID-19 in Uganda. Policy makers should address these particularities and assess the impact of public health measures on transport drivers' mobility and involve them in designing of mobility-relatedpolicies.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Blanco-Penedo
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Brindle
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Schmidt-Sane
- Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Bowmer
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Constance Iradukunda
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Herbert Mfitundinda
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jude Rwemisisi
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Christine Fricke
- Department of Anthropology and African Studies, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Simone Carter
- Public Health Emergencies, UNICEF, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - David Kaawa-Mafigiri
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Shelley Lees
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Vanderslott S, Enria L, Bowmer A, Bowmer A, Kamara A, Lees S. Attributing public ignorance in vaccination narratives. Soc Sci Med 2022; 307:115152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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