Dataset Information

Real-Time Tracking of COVID-19 Rumors Using Community-Based Methods in Cote d'Ivoire.

ABSTRACT: Global misinformation and information overload have characterized the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors are unverified pieces of information spreading online or person-to-person that reduce trust in health authorities and create barriers to protective practices. Risk communication and community engagement can increase transparency, build trust, and stop the spread of rumors. Building on previous work on Ebola and Zika viruses using Global Health Security Agenda systems strengthening support, the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Breakthrough ACTION project developed a process and technology for systematically collecting, analyzing, and addressing COVID-19 rumors in real-time in Côte d'Ivoire. Rumors were submitted through community-based contributors and collected from callers to the national hotlines and then processed on a cloud-hosted database built on the open-source software District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2). Hotline teleoperators and data managers coded rumors in near-real-time according to behavioral theory frameworks within DHIS2 and visualized the findings on custom dashboards. The analysis and response were done in full collaboration with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and implementing partners to ensure a timely and coordinated response. The system captured both widespread rumors consistent with misinformation in other settings, such as suspicions about case counts and the belief that masks were deliberately contaminated, as well as very localized beliefs related to specific influencers. The qualitative findings provided rapid insights on circulating beliefs, enabling risk communicators to nuance and tailor messaging around COVID-19.

SUBMITTER: Tibbels N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8324191 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:In Côte d'Ivoire, induced abortion is legally restricted unless a pregnancy threatens a woman's life. Yet the limited available evidence suggests abortion is common and that unsafe abortion is contributing to the country's high maternal mortality. Our study aimed to estimate the one-year incidence of induced abortion in Côte d'Ivoire using both direct and indirect methodologies, determine the safety of reported abortions, and identify the women most likely to experience a recent induced abortion or an unsafe abortion. METHODS:In 2018, we conducted a nationally representative, population-based survey of women age 15 to 49 in Côte d'Ivoire. Women reported their own abortion experiences and those of their closest female confidante. We estimated the one-year incidence of induced abortion, and the safety of the abortions women experienced. Using bivariate and multivariate regression, we separately assessed sociodemographic characteristics associated with having had a recent abortion or an unsafe abortion. RESULTS:Overall, 2,738 women participated in the survey, approximately two-thirds of whom reported on the abortion experiences of their closest female friend. Based on respondent data, the one-year incidence of induced abortion was 27.9 (95% CI 18.6-37.1) per 1,000 women of reproductive age, while the confidante incidence was higher at 40.7 (95% CI 33.3-48.1) per 1,000. Among respondents, 62.4% of abortions were most unsafe, while 78.5% of confidante abortions were most unsafe. Adolescents, less educated women, and the poorest women had the most unsafe abortions. CONCLUSION:This study provides the first national estimates of induced abortion incidence and safety in Côte d'Ivoire, using a population-based approach to explore social determinants of abortion and unsafe abortion. Consistent with other research, our results suggest that legal restrictions on abortion in Côte d'Ivoire are not preventing women from having abortions, but rather pushing women to use unsafe, potentially dangerous abortion methods. Efforts to reduce the harms of unsafe abortion are urgently needed.

Project description:BackgroundKnowing the species composition and insecticide resistance status of the target vector population is important to guide malaria vector control. The aim of this study was to characterize the malaria vector population in terms of species composition, insecticide susceptibility status and potential underlying resistance mechanisms in Ellibou, southern Côte d'Ivoire.MethodsA 1-year longitudinal entomological survey was conducted using light traps and pyrethroid spray catches to sample adult mosquitoes in combination with larval sampling. The susceptibility status of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to bendiocarb, deltamethrin, DDT and malathion was assessed using the World Health Organization insecticide susceptibility test. Additionally, An. gambiae specimens were screened for knockdown (kdr) and acetylcholineesterase (ace1) target site resistance alleles, and the expression levels of eight metabolic resistance genes, including seven cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) and one glutathione S-transferase (GST), measured with reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsOverall, 2383 adult mosquitoes from 12 different taxa were collected with Culex quinquefasciatus and An. gambiae being the predominant taxa. Molecular identification of An. gambiae s.l. revealed the presence of Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles coluzzii, An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) and Anopheles coluzzii/An. gambiae s.s. hybrids. Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes were resistant to all insecticides except malathion. PCR diagnostics revealed the presence of ace1-G280S and the kdr L995F, L995S and N1570Y target-site mutations. Additionally, several genes were upregulated, including five P450s (i.e., CYP6P3, CYP6M2, CYP9K1, CYP6Z1, CYP6P1) and GSTE2.ConclusionThis is the first documented presence of An. arabiensis in Côte d'Ivoire. Its detection - together with a recent finding further north of the country - confirms its existence in the country, which is an early warning sign, as An. arabiensis shows a different biology than the currently documented malaria vectors. Because the local An. gambiae population was still susceptible to malathion, upregulation of P450s, conferring insecticide resistance to pyrethroids, together with the presence of ace1, suggest negative cross-resistance. Therefore, organophosphates could be an alternative insecticide class for indoor residual spraying in the Ellibou area, while additional tools against the outdoor biting An. arabiensis will have to be considered.

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Real-Time Tracking of COVID-19 Rumors Using Community-Based Methods in Cote d'Ivoire.

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