Research: Socio-cultural Dynamics of Transmission

Permanent URI for this collection

https://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/handle/1/1391
Research that investigated how social behaviours and population movement patterns (including congested public transport) in Africa influence the risks of COVID-19 transmission within and between quarantine zones, rural/ peri-urban/urban zones, and transnational borders; how to deliver social distancing, self-quarantine, and isolation measures in high-density urban areas like informal settlements; and how migration, trade and investment, social networks and livelihoods (including in communities relying on income received daily to survive) impact transmission dynamics.

Browse

Browsing Research: Socio-cultural Dynamics of Transmission by Subject "COVID-19"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Rural vulnerability and institutional dynamics in the context of COVID-19: A scoping review
    (AOSIS, 2022) John, Sokfa F.; Okem, Andrew Emmanuel; Mubangizi, Betty Claire; Adekanla, Niyi; Ngubane, Londeka P.; Barry, Ibrahim
    This study reviewed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pre-existing vulnerabilities in rural communities using the scoping review strategy. It focused on manuscripts published on the topic in 2020. Based on 39 studies that met our inclusion criteria (out of 507 studies), we note that COVID-19 is exacerbating pre-existing rural vulnerabilities, including poverty, remoteness, socio-economic marginalisation and high unemployment. There is limited evidence that rural communities are resilient to the pandemic. Reduction in household expenditures and the community food system are the only reported forms of resilience. Although local institutions are supporting rural communities in responding to the impacts of the pandemic, several institutional dynamics undermine the effectiveness of the response. The increased risk of the pandemic is likely to reduce incomes and standards of living amongst poor communities. Thus, coping strategies were identified such as starting small gardens in communities, diet changes, targeting community markets with produce rather than retailers and food swap using social media, with food swap being the most adopted coping strategy. Although this study does not offer a comprehensive picture of the levels and nature of vulnerability, resilience and institutional dynamics of rural communities in different parts of the world reveal the limitations of existing knowledge of the vulnerability of rural communities in the context of COVID-19. This underscores the importance of further studies on rural vulnerability in the context of COVID-19 that will enable evidence-based responses to the pandemic in rural contexts.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Socio-Ecological Factors Associated with Preventive Behavior
    (Brill, 2024-06-28) Engdawork, Kibur; Amdework, Ezana; Assefa, Samuel
    Understanding factors influencing the adoption of preventive behaviors is crucial in pandemic prevention and control. This study employs the social-ecological model to examine the determinants of preventive actions against COVID-19 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data from a household survey were analyzed using a linear regression model. The findings indicate a moderate level of preventive behavior adoption among residents. Interpersonal behavior, community norms, and organizational-level factors are identified as significant predictors, while personal and demographic factors have little influence. These results highlight the need for context-specific health interventions, addressing social and structural aspects, to effectively combat COVID-19 in Addis Ababa and similar low- and middle-income settings.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    The state of teaching and learning during the outbreak of COVID-19 in East African Universities
    (2024-04-23) Edward, Ombui; Tandika, Pambas; Fabian, Flora; Mongi, Hector; Moshi, Fabiola; Muchungi, Kendi; Mukami, Victoria; Kiguru, Mary
    The primary concern about interruptions in teaching and learning in higher education institutions is no longer a question of internal conflicts like student strikes or staff demonstrations but whether universities and colleges are cultivating a resilient institutional culture to mitigate, adapt to, and survive external and global interruptions such as COVID-19. Respective government directives compelled East African learning institutions to abruptly terminate in-person learning in March 2020 in the wake of COVID-19 in the region. Instructors and university management officers of the sampled universities in Tanzania and Kenya shared their experience through individual and face-to-face interviews on the knowledge and skills of the instructors on alternative modalities of managing teaching and learning during this period? This study uses descriptive analysis to provide an in-depth understanding of the state of teaching and learning during COVID-19 pandemic in East African Universities. The analysis reveals that despite initiative invested by university management in training instructors for different modalities of teaching and learning, instructors were reluctant to adopt an online model of instruction. Consequently, workload increased after re-opening of the universities with development of policy guidelines and conducting research for appropriate ways of managing universities during pandemic being suggested.