A Qualitative Evaluation of COVID-19 Preventative Response Activities in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Matthew A. Aubourg, Lucien Bisimwa, Jean Claude Bisimwa, Presence Sanvura, Camille Williams, Raissa Boroto, Claude Lunyelunye, Jessy Timsifu, Brigitte Munyerenkana, Kelly Endres, Peter J. Winch, Justin Bengehya, Ghislain Maheshe, Cirhuza Cikomola, Alain Mwishingo and Christine Marie George ()
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Matthew A. Aubourg: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Lucien Bisimwa: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jean Claude Bisimwa: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Presence Sanvura: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Camille Williams: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Raissa Boroto: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Claude Lunyelunye: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jessy Timsifu: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Brigitte Munyerenkana: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kelly Endres: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Peter J. Winch: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Justin Bengehya: Bureau de l’Information Sanitaire, Surveillance Epidémiologique et Recherche Scientifique, Division Provinciale de la Santé Sud Kivu, Ministère de la Santé, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ghislain Maheshe: Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cirhuza Cikomola: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Alain Mwishingo: Center for Tropical Diseases & Global Health, Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu B.P 265, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Christine Marie George: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: Objective: In this evaluation of COVID-19 preventative response programs in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we aimed to explore community understandings of COVID-19, assess operational successes and challenges of COVID response activities, and identify barriers to practicing COVID-19 preventative behaviors. Methods: Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted from April to September 2021 in South Kivu, DRC, with community members ( n = 16) and programmatic stakeholders ( n = 15) (healthcare providers, government officials, and developmental and NGO staff engaged in COVID-19 response). Findings: Most community members were aware of COVID-19 and its global burden, but few were aware of local transmission in their area. Some community members attributed COVID-19 to actions of malevolent neighbors, miasma (“bad air”), or spirits. Awareness of COVID-19 preventative measures was widespread, largely because of radio and TV health promotion programs. Community members and programmatic stakeholders both said community-level non-compliance to COVID-19 preventative measures was high despite high awareness of preventative methods. Community members expressed concern that face masks distributed as part of preventative programs contained the COVID-19 virus. Programmatic stakeholders emphasized the need for broader health system strengthening with improved coordination, provision of resources to health facilities at the provincial level, and prioritization of research. Lessons learned from addressing Ebola were leveraged for COVID-19 health promotion, rapid training of healthcare personnel, and surveillance. Conclusions: Community-informed approaches are needed for effective COVID-19 preventative response programs in South Kivu, DRC. Our study identified successes and challenges in COVID-19 response activities. Future research should assess the effectiveness of integrating preventive programs with COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Keywords: Democratic Republic of the Congo; South Kivu; COVID-19; semi-structured interviews; qualitative research; program evaluation; key informants; community members (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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