Public Perceptions towards COVID-19 and Prevention Measures in Uganda: Gaps and Missed Opportunities

Abstract

Introduction: Communication of COVID-19 prevention measures is essential for effective control and management of the pandemic. For Uganda following the presidential directives, the COVID-19 lockdown measures came into effect on March 18, 2020. A top-bottom approach was adopted. The approach puts public perceptions at risk of affecting the receptiveness of the well-intended measures to control the pandemic spread. This paper provides preliminary findings about public perception of COVID-19 communication approach, gaps and missed opportunities. Methods: The survey was informed by 329 online comments and 13 individual interviews from Uganda. The trending comments on the blogs and individual interviews considered three topical discussion points: donations given to the COVID-19 emergency team (110 comments), perceptions of COVID-19 lockdown directives (195 comments) and public outcomes of COVID-19 lockdown measures (24 comments). The individual interviews were conducted at Ishaka Health Plan, a micro health insurance scheme in southwest Uganda. Data was deductively analyzed based on three themes: COVID-19 cause of transmission, relevance of preventive measures and effects of the announced preventive measures. Results: The public can tell the cause of COVID-19 but cannot explain its transmission. The 36 lockdown directives have been complied with but raise negative public perceptions. In particular, COVID-19 is perceived to have been introduced in Uganda from abroad; COVID-19 preventive measures have been administratively enforced onto the communities; and the lockdown measures are arousing public dissent –socio-economically, politically and emotionally. The article notes that the COVID-19 directives, will not sustainably control and manage the COVID 19 spread in Uganda. Conclusion: sustainably controlling the COVID 19 spread calls for review of the COVID-19 communication approach by allowing for community inclusiveness and social creativity. The COVID-19 public health Information, Education and Communication should evolve out of continuous dialogue among various socio-economic actors like private sector associations, spiritual and cultural leaders, as well as vulnerable populations.