Combating Rumours and Misinformation on COVID 19

By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews

The subject of stigma is a serious one, but how do we effectively communicate the fact that COVID-19 is not a guaranteed death sentence". In the first place, why even use the term "death sentence"? Although you cite a mortality rate of 1.8% we find this untenable. Several meta-studies from the countries that recorded covid19 cases earlier than Cameroon did show an infection fatality rate of 1.5% at most with many of them being under 1%. Even so, when we have such firm data, this places covid19 as no more dangerous than a seasonal illness, which health administrations in all countries are no strangers to. The burden of disease from the usual set of infectious and opportunistic diseases (such as malaria, enteric fevers, respiratory tract diseases, tuberculosis etc), plus the rising number of non communicable diseases, is a much greater priority. What we suggest networks must do is counter the actual epidemic which is the broadcasting of a fear mindset The CORE Group Polio Project is working to shape context-specific responses to growing cases of COVID-19 social stigma in Cameroon project areas. We are striving to identify, share and rapidly analyze how best to reduce stigma by drawing from our work in the areas of polio, measles, and zoonotic disease surveillance activities under Global Health Security. “Addressing stigma is key to overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic." The CORE Group Polio Project is based upon the concept that disease outbreaks are best identified and interrupted at the community level. We know that stigma based on fear and misinformation is contributing to the ongoing COVID-19 community transmission in many of our local communities. Like many of you reading this report, we need practical guidance to shape our response to the prevalence of COVID-19 social stigma. We are aiming to develop several simple, practical messages for field staff and community volunteers by leveraging the critical engagement of trusted persons. We are guided by three basic questions: What does stigma look like? What are the root causes? What is the impact? From there, we have been attempting to determine what sort of risk communication and community engagement strategies or lessons learned from polio can be applied to curb stigma for COVID-19. What strategies need to be tweaked for COVID-19? What other approaches should we consider? In Abo Health District, stigma driven by fear and misinformation is quickly emerging as the primary concern, while in other parts of Cameroon, stigma is the secondary challenge, followed by a low perception of risk. According to health officials, “It is harder and harder to fight the pandemic. Cases are going up. Deaths are going up.” Most people are aware of COVID-19 but do not adhere to prevention measures such as social/physical distancing, hand washing hygiene or use of face masks. However, there is a pervasive fear of testing due to the possibility of a positive result. Individuals who test positive and share results with family and friends face the risk of being rejected and end up afraid and isolated. This fear of rejection leads to COVID-19 patients refusing to reveal contacts to avoid further discrimination. Quarantine means risk of job loss and loss of income. These behaviors result in harmful effects: individuals are not getting tested, hiding their illness, and not practicing healthy behaviours. Abo Health District now faces a double-burden. Not only is there fear of the effects of quarantine on survival, but there is also a widespread belief that COVID-19 positivity equates to death. From observations in the field, there is a low awareness of the recovery rate. This misinformation is driving stigma. For one, we need to develop tools that explicitly communicate that the majority of COVID-19 cases are recovering in greater numbers than those dying from the disease. In June alone, the district reported 9 cases, with 3 dead and 6 recovered: How do we effectively communicate the fact that COVID-19 is not a guaranteed death sentence? How do we tap community knowledge to find solutions: can we enlist the support of those who have recovered (survivors) from COVID-19 to serve as sympathetic role models to expand the circle of influencers? How do we achieve the desired health impact by engaging community members, leaders, and groups who provide reliable and accurate information? Abo Health District is in the midst of forming a Cameroon Link peace deal between the population and health officials on finding solutions to the current situation because there are many displaced persons within the communities. In Cameroon as a whole, the need to address stigma is a “major, major, major issue,” reported by health officials. Low risk perception is presently driving the pandemic. A May 2020 risk perception survey from Bonaberi-Douala showed that more than half of respondents “believe COVID-19 is fake …” and adherence to physical distancing and use of face masks is low. There is a fear of testing due to stigmatization; those who test positive are hiding due to the fear of being ostracized. Based on lessons learned from polio, the engagement of traditional and religious leaders successfully countered the myths and misconceptions in polio high-risk areas. We are leveraging the polio platform to address stigma in the low-literate rural communties. Drawing from the past successes with the engagement of traditional and religious leaders, Cameroon is now working with trusted and well-informed faith-based leaders to battled COVID-19. To address stigma, a mapping of critical stakeholders is ongoing to identifyCatholic schoolteachers, and church and mosque leaders. In Bonaberi, the engagement of critical leaders has won out over radio jingles to address misinformation. Community Health Workers (CHW) are conducting house to house visits, carrying with them IEC materials to share accurate information on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to seek help if sick. In addition to the CHW-trained community informants are part of the robust surveillance network which now helps to identify suspected COVID-19 cases in addition to HIV and tuberculosis cases.

Cameroon Link is working with Community Health Volunteers to reach high-risk nomadic dis^laced persons and pastoralists with information on COVID-19 risk and prevention measures. This vulnerable population, which moves continuously with its animals owing to their livelihoods and culture, is facing multiple sources of severe stigmatization, including from urban dwellers who believe they are responsible for driving the disease across borders and health districts. Along the rural borders, pastoralists are being denied access to grazing and watering sites due to fear of spread COVID-19; these restrictions can easily escalate into conflict. Furthermore, COVID-19 is fueling stigma and elevating fear and tension between internallydisplaced persons and host communities.