Community-Engaged Bidirectional Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication With Immigrant and Refugee Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: This study was conducted to assess an intervention that was created by a community–academic partnership to address COVID-19 health inequities. We evaluated a community-engaged bidirectional pandemic crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) framework with immigrant and refugee populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 17-year community-engaged research partnership adopted a CERC framework in March 2020 to address COVID-19 prevention, testing, and socioeconomic impacts with immigrant and refugee groups in southeast Minnesota. The partnership used bidirectional communication between communication leaders and their social networks to refine messages, leverage resources, and advise policy makers. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation for intervention acceptability, feasibility, reach, adaptation, and sustainability through multisource data, including email communications, work group notes, semistructured interviews, and focus groups. Results: The intervention reached at least 39 000 people in 9 months. It was implemented as intended and perceived efficacy was high. Frequent communication between community and academic partners allowed the team to respond rapidly to concerns and facilitated connection of community members to resources. Framework implementation also led to systems and policy changes to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee populations. Conclusions: Community-engaged CERC is feasible and sustainable and can reduce COVID-19 disparities through shared creation and dissemination of public health messages, enhanced connection to existing resources, and incorporation of community perspectives in regional pandemic mitigation policies.

Correction: Medication Adherence Reminder System for Virtual Home Assistants: Mixed Methods Evaluation Study (Preprint)

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COVID-19 Vaccine Education (CoVE) for Health and Care Workers to Facilitate Global Promotion of the COVID-19 Vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out globally. High and ongoing public uptake of the vaccine relies on health and social care professionals having the knowledge and confidence to actively and effectively advocate it. An internationally relevant, interactive multimedia training resource called COVID-19 Vaccine Education (CoVE) was developed using ASPIRE methodology. This rigorous six-step process included: (1) establishing the aims, (2) storyboarding and co-design, (3) populating and producing, (4) implementation, (5) release, and (6) mixed-methods evaluation aligned with the New World Kirkpatrick Model. Two synchronous consultations with members of the target audience identified the support need and established the key aim (Step 1: 2 groups: n = 48). Asynchronous storyboarding was used to co-construct the content, ordering, presentation, and interactive elements (Step 2: n = 14). Iterative two-stage peer review was undertaken of content and technical presentation (Step 3: n = 23). The final resource was released in June 2021 (Step 4: >3653 views). Evaluation with health and social care professionals from 26 countries (survey, n = 162; qualitative interviews, n = 15) established that CoVE has high satisfaction, usability, and relevance to the target audience. Engagement with CoVE increased participants’ knowledge and confidence relating to vaccine promotion and facilitated vaccine-promoting behaviours and vaccine uptake. The CoVE digital training package is open access and provides a valuable mechanism for supporting health and care professionals in promoting COVID-19 vaccination uptake.

Depression And HIV/TB In Southern Africa: A Mixed Method Evaluation of An Integrated Primary Care Mental Health Programme In Eswatini

Background: Depression and comorbidity with chronic illnesses is common in Southern Africa, yet there are major treatment gaps. This study evaluates the intervention ‘Healthy Activity Program’ to bridge this gap, which involves training non-specialist nurses in depression: including identification, counselling based on behavioural activation theory and structured referral. This intervention aims to be integrated into routine primary healthcare services for HIV/TB. The patient cohort were people living with HIV and/or tuberculosis (TB) (PLHIV/TB) in rural Eswatini. Aims: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention and concepts of depression in this setting.Methods: This is a pragmatic mixed methods evaluation of a pilot integrated service.Results: 324 PLHIV/TB were screened for depression, with 19% (62/324) screening positive. Attendance to counselling declined over time, with 16/62 attending the minimum 5 sessions. Qualitative results indicated acceptability, yet concerns around feasibility. Conclusions: The ‘Healthy Activity Program’ represents a promising option to manage the treatment gap for depression in PLHIV/TB. However, task-shifting onto non-specialist healthcare professionals with the aim to integrate care for these conditions in primary care, without increasing staff capacity, is a barrier to implementation. Realistic and pragmatic assessments of capacity and workforce are essential.