Factors contributing to the sharing of COVID-19 health information amongst refugee communities in a regional area of Australia: a qualitative study

Sunita Joann Rebecca Healey; Nafiseh Ghafournia; Peter D Massey; Karinne Andrich; Joy Harrison; Kathryn Taylor; Katarzyna Bolsewicz

doi:10.1186/s12889-022-13850-1

Factors contributing to the sharing of COVID-19 health information amongst refugee communities in a regional area of Australia: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health. 2022 Jul 28;22(1):1434. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13850-1.

Authors

Sunita Joann Rebecca Healey¹, Nafiseh Ghafournia², Peter D Massey³, Karinne Andrich², Joy Harrison⁴, Kathryn Taylor⁵, Katarzyna Bolsewicz⁶

Affiliations

¹ Multicultural and Refugee Health Services, HNE Health, Harker Building, Wallsend Health Services, Longworth Ave, Wallsend NSW, Newcastle, 2287, Australia. Rebecca.Healey@health.nsw.gov.au.
² Multicultural and Refugee Health Services, HNE Health, Harker Building, Wallsend Health Services, Longworth Ave, Wallsend NSW, Newcastle, 2287, Australia.
³ College of Medicine & Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
⁴ Multicultural and Refugee Health Services, HNE Health, Armidale Community Health Centre, 226 Rusden St, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia.
⁵ Central Coast Population Health Unit, Level 1, 4 Watt St, Gosford, NSW, 2250, Australia.
⁶ The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan NSW, Newcastle, 2308, Australia.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups worldwide. Newly emerging CALD populations formed by recently arrived refugees are predisposed to even greater health disadvantages due to complexities of the refugee experience. The aim of this study was to explore how culture, refugee experiences and existing relationships shaped what COVID-19 messages were listened to and shared during the early-mid phases of the pandemic. The work focused on three newly emerging refugee groups in the Hunter New England region, Australia: Afghan, Congolese and Syrian communities.

Methods: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the experiences and stories of 15 adult community members, nine influential members and six service providers. All community members arrived in Australia on or after January 2014. Interpreter-assisted interviews were conducted with small groups or individuals, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in English. Three levels of thematic data analysis were employed to uncover the important issues and experiences of the participants.

Results: Three key themes and several subthemes were identified. The themes were: 1) Experience as a refugee uniquely influences COVID-19 message communication; 2) Refugee groups use diverse practices when accessing and sharing COVID-19 messages; and 3) Official government messages could be improved by listening and tailoring to community needs.

Conclusions: Effective health messaging relies on reaching communities in a culturally acceptable and meaningful way. Official COVID-19 messages can be tailored to engage newly emerging communities by improving the quality of the content, delivery and format whilst working collaboratively with communities and trusted service providers. Further mutual research is needed to understand emerging communities' viewpoints. The use of culturally informed approaches is recommended.

Keywords: Australia; COVID-19; Cultural diversity; Health literacy; Information dissemination; Refugees; Social cohesion; Trust.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Australia / epidemiology
COVID-19* / epidemiology
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Pandemics
Qualitative Research
Refugees*