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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100021
Title: | "Ten years of war! You expect people to fear a 'germ'?": A qualitative study of initial perceptions and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic among displaced communities in opposition-controlled northwest Syria. | Authors: | Douedari, Yazan Alhaffar, Mervat Al-Twaish, Muhammed Mkhallalati, Hala Alwany, Raheb Ibrahim, Nafeesah Bte Mohamed Zaseela, Ayshath Horanieh, Nour Abbara, Aula Howard, Natasha |
Keywords: | COVID-19 Conflict Displacement Lived experience Syria |
Issue Date: | 2020 | Publisher: | Elsevier BV | Citation: | Douedari, Yazan, Alhaffar, Mervat, Al-Twaish, Muhammed, Mkhallalati, Hala, Alwany, Raheb, Ibrahim, Nafeesah Bte Mohamed, Zaseela, Ayshath, Horanieh, Nour, Abbara, Aula, Howard, Natasha (2020). "Ten years of war! You expect people to fear a 'germ'?": A qualitative study of initial perceptions and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic among displaced communities in opposition-controlled northwest Syria.. J Migr Health 1-2 : 100021-. ScholarBank@NUS Repository. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100021 | Abstract: | Background: Response to the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged even robust healthcare systems in high-income countries. Syria, a country experiencing protracted conflict, has the largest internally-displaced population globally with most displaced settlements in opposition-controlled areas governed by local and international NGOs. This study aimed to explore community perspectives on challenges and potential solutions to reduce COVID-19 transmission among displaced communities in opposition-controlled Northwest Syria. Methods: We used a qualitative study design, conducting 20 interviews with displaced Syrians in opposition-controlled camps in Northwest Syria between April-May 2020 and ensuring over half our interviewees were women. We analysed data thematically. Results: Participants described already difficult camp conditions that would be detrimental to an effective COVID-19 response, including household crowding, inadequate sewerage and waste management, insufficient and poor-quality water, and lack of cleaning supplies. Participants most frequently mentioned internet as their COVID-19 information source, followed by NGO awareness campaigns. Men had access to more accurate and comprehensive COVID-19 information than women did. Isolating (shielding) high-risk people within households did not appear feasible, but participants suggested 'house-swapping' approaches might work. While most participants had sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, they lacked practical tools to prevent transmission. Conclusion: This study is the first to explore perspectives and lived experiences of internally-displaced Syrians in the weeks prior to the COVID-19 epidemic in Northwest Syria. The challenging living conditions of internally-displaced people in Syria are further threatened by the spread of COVID-19. Tailored control measures are urgently needed to reduce COVID-19 transmission in camps. | Source Title: | J Migr Health | URI: | https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/205276 | ISSN: | 26666235 | DOI: | 10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100021 |
Appears in Collections: | Elements Staff Publications |
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