The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Understanding how African-Australians think about COVID can help tailor public health messaging

  • Written by Levi Osuagwu, Research fellow, Western Sydney University

New South Wales reported 98 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours[1]. Twenty of those were infectious while in the community, a number which needs to get close to zero before the lockdown can end.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Sydney, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian tightened restrictions in Liverpool, Fairfield, and Canterbury-Bankstown over the weekend. On top of existing stay-at-home orders, residents are now unable to leave these local government areas for work[2] unless they’re deemed “authorised[3]” workers.

Sydney’s Southwest is home to many multicultural communities, which have had to respond quickly to many rounds of restrictions. But while Berejiklian says health authorities are working to tailor and disseminate basic public health messaging for migrant communities, this may not be enough.

Our research[4] shows it’s also important to expand this information to counter myths and misinformation about COVID-19 so people in migrant communities have a clear sense of the risks of infection.

Read more: Sydney is locked down for another 7 days. So what will it take to lift restrictions?[5]

What we found

We undertook a series of surveys[6] of just under 15,000 people to assess the differences in knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of COVID-19 among sub-Saharan Africans. This includes a mix of different nationalities, tribes and cultures, including those living in developed countries such as Australia.

We also asked about their compliance with COVID-19 public health control measures such as social distancing, using face masks and hand sanitisers.

We found high levels of beliefs in COVID-19 myths among those from sub-Saharan African countries. While rates were lower among the 143 Africans we surveyed in the diaspora, including Australia, 7.5% of these participants believed in at least one of the following myths:

  • drinking hot water flushes down the virus
  • COVID-19 has a minimal effect on people from an African background
  • COVID-19 was deliberately designed to reduce the world’s population
  • the ability to hold your breath for ten seconds means you’re COVID-19 negative.

Some 8.3% of people in the diaspora[7] believed the 5G network was associated[8] with COVID-19.

Reassuringly, our research also found[9] a significant association between knowledge of COVID-19 and being worried about contracting the virus, and positive behaviours such as wearing face masks, and using sanitisers.

In other words, the more our respondents knew about COVID-19, the more likely they were to protect themselves and others from the virus.

Cars in Fairfield line up for testing. Understanding the virus makes people want to act. Mick Tsikas/AAP[10]

How do African communities get their information?

Because people’s perception of risk informs how they respond to a threat such as COVID-19, it’s important[11] to understand their sources of information, attitudes, perceived risk of contracting the disease, and compliance with public health control measures.

Many of our survey participants got their information about COVID-19 from formal government and public health authority channels.

But some used social media[12], which routinely spread myths and misinformation about COVID-19 via video clips. These were commonly shared among communities in Africa and those in the diaspora[13].

Social media misinformation tended to focus on the origins of COVID-19, the dangers of COVID-19 vaccinations, and conspiracy theories claiming COVID-19 aims to reduce populations of African peoples[14].

Some respondents in Africa and Australia didn’t believe COVID-19 existed and mistrusted officials. This resulted in an inaccurate perception of their risk of infection, making them more likely to ignore public health messaging and disregard public health measures.

Read more: Diverse spokespeople and humour: how the government's next ad campaign could boost COVID vaccine uptake[15]

What does public health messaging need to do?

Health authorities need to form strong, mutually trusting bonds with African-Australian and other multicultural communities. Ideally this would be ongoing, not just during a pandemic.

This foundation of trust allows authorities to convincingly communicate health directives such as mask-wearing, testing, vaccinations, and stay-at-home orders.

Professional woman of African decent types on laptop. People are more likely to want to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 if they’re aware of the risks of contracting the virus. Christina @ wocintechchat.com[16]

It’s promising to see health authorities in Western Sydney liaising with community leaders to disseminate basic health information.

But any new messaging campaign now needs to go beyond the generic and favour more nuanced[17] messages that dispel misinformation among African and other multicultural communities in Western Sydney.

Read more: A tougher 4-week lockdown could save Sydney months of stay-at-home orders, our modelling shows[18]

Storytelling mediums, including drama, dance and theatre, have been shown to be an effective and efficient means[19] of communicating more nuanced health messages to African and other multicultural audiences.

Creative storytelling techniques can create memorable messages that help audiences identify with the characters and situations presented, and emotionally engage with messages.

These messages motivate people to change their beliefs and behaviours, and can be disseminated using the mass media and social media, in relevant languages, as well as shared among communities.

Importantly, creative storytelling techniques can enhance feelings of community and family cohesion, and lessen the feelings of isolation and social exclusion that migrants often feel, especially during a pandemic.

References

  1. ^ 98 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours (www.theguardian.com)
  2. ^ now unable to leave these local government areas for work (www.abc.net.au)
  3. ^ authorised (www.nsw.gov.au)
  4. ^ research (www.liebertpub.com)
  5. ^ Sydney is locked down for another 7 days. So what will it take to lift restrictions? (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ series of surveys (www.liebertpub.com)
  7. ^ 8.3% of people in the diaspora (researchdirect.westernsydney.edu.au)
  8. ^ 5G network was associated (www.joghr.org)
  9. ^ also found (www.liebertpub.com)
  10. ^ Mick Tsikas/AAP (photos.aap.com.au)
  11. ^ important (www.liebertpub.com)
  12. ^ social media (www.liebertpub.com)
  13. ^ those in the diaspora (www.liebertpub.com)
  14. ^ reduce populations of African peoples (www.bbc.com)
  15. ^ Diverse spokespeople and humour: how the government's next ad campaign could boost COVID vaccine uptake (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ Christina @ wocintechchat.com (unsplash.com)
  17. ^ more nuanced (www.liebertpub.com)
  18. ^ A tougher 4-week lockdown could save Sydney months of stay-at-home orders, our modelling shows (theconversation.com)
  19. ^ effective and efficient means (jcom.sissa.it)

Read more https://theconversation.com/understanding-how-african-australians-think-about-covid-can-help-tailor-public-health-messaging-164398

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...