Abstract
Background
Communities impacted by infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 risk long-lasting effects from traumatic experiences associated with effects of the infection and measures taken to respond to the effects of the virus and to contain virus's spread. There are West African migrants who experienced the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2014-2016 before settling in Australia. Such
individuals now face another infectious disease outbreak with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim
To undertake an initial exploration of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on West African migrants now living in Victoria who experienced the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in 2014-2016 while residing in West Africa.
Method
This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional mixed-methods study. West African migrants over the age of 18 years, living in Victoria, who resided in the Ebola outbreak affected regions of West Africa during 2014-2016, will be recruited. All participants will be invited to complete an online questionnaire comprising demographic data, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6), Brief-Cope (28), Trauma History Screen, Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), Global Life Satisfaction (GLS) measure, and two short-answer questions. Participants may also choose to participate in a second phase in which semi-structured Zoom or phone interviews will be undertaken to further investigate the experience of living through the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic.
Expected findings
The proposed study will provide contextualised perspectives of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on West African migrants in Victoria who lived through the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2014-2016. It seeks to identify the psychosocial effects and coping strategies employed by participants.
Implications
This research will provide information on how previous traumatic experiences associated with severe infectious disease outbreaks contribute to individuals' experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings can inform the development of a more nuanced response to support vulnerable
populations’ mental health and well-being during future infectious disease outbreaks. Although the study is limited to the state of Victoria it is has potential relevance to other states and territories and other countries. Collaboration with researchers in the WHRN group may provide an opportunity to identify the perspectives of other community groups in the region who have experienced
different epidemics before migration. This may enable sharing of skills and experiences for improving the health and wellbeing of people living in Central NSW both now and in future outbreaks.
Communities impacted by infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 risk long-lasting effects from traumatic experiences associated with effects of the infection and measures taken to respond to the effects of the virus and to contain virus's spread. There are West African migrants who experienced the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2014-2016 before settling in Australia. Such
individuals now face another infectious disease outbreak with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aim
To undertake an initial exploration of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on West African migrants now living in Victoria who experienced the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in 2014-2016 while residing in West Africa.
Method
This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional mixed-methods study. West African migrants over the age of 18 years, living in Victoria, who resided in the Ebola outbreak affected regions of West Africa during 2014-2016, will be recruited. All participants will be invited to complete an online questionnaire comprising demographic data, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-6), Brief-Cope (28), Trauma History Screen, Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), Global Life Satisfaction (GLS) measure, and two short-answer questions. Participants may also choose to participate in a second phase in which semi-structured Zoom or phone interviews will be undertaken to further investigate the experience of living through the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic.
Expected findings
The proposed study will provide contextualised perspectives of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on West African migrants in Victoria who lived through the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic of 2014-2016. It seeks to identify the psychosocial effects and coping strategies employed by participants.
Implications
This research will provide information on how previous traumatic experiences associated with severe infectious disease outbreaks contribute to individuals' experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings can inform the development of a more nuanced response to support vulnerable
populations’ mental health and well-being during future infectious disease outbreaks. Although the study is limited to the state of Victoria it is has potential relevance to other states and territories and other countries. Collaboration with researchers in the WHRN group may provide an opportunity to identify the perspectives of other community groups in the region who have experienced
different epidemics before migration. This may enable sharing of skills and experiences for improving the health and wellbeing of people living in Central NSW both now and in future outbreaks.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 12-13 |
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Nov 2020 |
| Event | 7th Western NSW Health Research Network Symposium 2020: ePoster Presentation Webinar - online Duration: 12 Nov 2020 → 12 Nov 2020 https://whrnnetwork.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/nov-12-eposter-research-presentation-abstract-and-bio-booklet-1.pdf |
Conference
| Conference | 7th Western NSW Health Research Network Symposium 2020 |
|---|---|
| Period | 12/11/20 → 12/11/20 |
| Internet address |
