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

• Main Authors: Bach Xuan Tran, Anh Kim Dang, Phong Khanh Thai, Huong Thi Le, Xuan Thanh Thi Le, Toan Thanh Thi Do, Tu Huu Nguyen, Hai Quang Pham, Hai Thanh Phan, Giang Thu Vu, Dung Tri Phung, Son Hong Nghiem, Thu Ha Nguyen, Trung Dinh Tran, Khanh Nam Do, Dat Van Truong, Giap Van Vu, Carl A. Latkin, Roger C.M. Ho, Cyrus S.H. Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: COVID-19; health communication; social networks; Vietnam
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/10/3577
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

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.