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Review
. 2020 Sep 2;37(Suppl 1):2.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.37.2.25183. eCollection 2020.

Social approaches to COVID-19 pandemic response: effectiveness and practicality in sub-Saharan Africa

Uchenna Anderson Amaechi  1 , Babasola Olufemi Sodipo  2 , Chukwudi Arnest Nnaji  3   4 , Ayomide Owoyemi  5 , Kasarachi Omitiran  6   7 , Ijeoma Nkem Okedo-Alex  8   9 , Ejemai Eboreime  7   10 , Olufemi Ajumobi  11
Affiliations
Review

Social approaches to COVID-19 pandemic response: effectiveness and practicality in sub-Saharan Africa

Uchenna Anderson Amaechi et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to health systems and communities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is enormous. Social approaches such as distancing measures are essential components of the public health response to respiratory-related infectious disease outbreaks. Due to socio-economic and broader peculiarities of SSA countries, social approaches that were effective elsewhere may have limited practicality in these contexts, and if practical; may yield different or even adverse results. We highlighted the effectiveness of these social approaches and their practicality in SSA.

Methods: we conducted a comprehensive literature search through multiple databases, to identify articles relevant to social distancing. Findings were thematically summarized.

Results: our review found emerging and varying empirical evidence on the effectiveness of social approaches in the control and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, limiting its applicability in SSA contexts. Nonetheless, our review demonstrates that the effectiveness and practicality of social approaches in SSA contexts will depend on available resources; timing, duration, and intensity of the intervention; and compliance. Weak political coordination, anti-science sentiments, distrust of political leaders and limited implementation of legal frameworks can also affect practicality.

Conclusion: to overcome these challenges, tailoring and adaptation of these measures to different but unique contexts for maximum effectiveness, and investment in social insurance mechanisms, are vital.

Keywords: Social distancing; community mitigation; mass gathering; non-pharmaceutical intervention; school; workplace.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests

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