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Torensma M, Harting J, Boateng L, et al. Contextual factors that shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures by persons of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin in the Netherlands: A focus group study. J Migr Health. 2021;4:100070doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100070.
Torensma, M., Harting, J., Boateng, L., Agyemang, C., Lassooy Tekle, Y., Jacob, Y., van den Muijsenbergh, M., El Fakiri, F., Prins, M., & Stronks, K. (2021). Contextual factors that shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures by persons of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin in the Netherlands: A focus group study. Journal of migration and health, 4100070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100070
Torensma, Marieke, et al. "Contextual factors that shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures by persons of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin in the Netherlands: A focus group study." Journal of migration and health vol. 4 (2021): 100070. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100070
Torensma M, Harting J, Boateng L, Agyemang C, Lassooy Tekle Y, Jacob Y, van den Muijsenbergh M, El Fakiri F, Prins M, Stronks K. Contextual factors that shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures by persons of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin in the Netherlands: A focus group study. J Migr Health. 2021;4:100070. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100070. Epub 2021 Oct 13. PMID: 34693384; PMCID: PMC8520828.
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J Migr Health. 2021;4:100070. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100070. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Contextual factors that shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures by persons of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin in the Netherlands: A focus group study.

Journal of migration and health

Marieke Torensma, Janneke Harting, Linda Boateng, Charles Agyemang, Yordi Lassooy Tekle, Yodit Jacob, Maria van den Muijsenbergh, Fatima El Fakiri, Maria Prins, Karien Stronks

Affiliations

  1. Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  2. Cultuur in Harmonie (RLO), consultancy on migration and integration, cultural mediation and translation services, Zeewolde, the Netherlands.
  3. Pharos, Centre of expertise on health disparities, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
  4. Department of Primary and Community care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
  5. Department of Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Care Innovation, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  6. Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  7. Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity (AII), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

PMID: 34693384 PMCID: PMC8520828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100070

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore the contextual factors that shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures, in specific migrant and ethnic minority populations, with a focus on migration-related, sociocultural and socioeconomic conditions.

DESIGN: A qualitative design, consisting of three online focus group discussions.

SETTING: This study was conducted amongst smaller, albeit substantial, migrant and minority ethnic populations in the Netherlands.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 25 participants (12 male; 13 female) of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin, purposively sampled to ensure diversity within groups, with regards to sex, age, educational level, occupation, household size and length of stay in the Netherlands. Focus group discussions were held online, therefore, experience in the use of video conferencing software was a prerequisite.

RESULTS: Participants' awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 and COVID-19 preventive measures was shaped by migration-related factors, such as limited Dutch proficiency, by access to understandable information and interference of misinformation. Participants' engagement by COVID-19 preventive measures was subject to COVID-19 threat appraisal and the ease with which complex behavioural messages could be translated to individual situations. Lastly, a strong social norm to keep with cultural and religious practices, and limited opportunity for preventive behaviour in the work and home context hinder the uptake of preventive behaviour following a decision to act according to measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Migration-related, sociocultural, and socioeconomic factors shape uptake of COVID-19 preventive measures amongst persons of Ghanaian and Eritrean origin in The Netherlands. To ensure equitable uptake our results suggest the importance of timely spread of multilingual information tailored to literacy needs; as well as, education and modelling delivered through online platforms and by leading figures in respective communities; and, regulations to ensure continued access to financial and material resources to minimise negative spill-over effects and exacerbation of inequality.

© 2021 The Author(s).

Keywords: COVID-19; Ethnic minority groups; Preventive behaviour

Conflict of interest statement

None.

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