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. 2021 Aug:197:28-35.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.05.029. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among Indonesian migrant workers in the Greater China Region

A Liem  1 , C Wang  2 , C Dong  3 , A I F Lam  4 , C A Latkin  5 , B J Hall  6
Affiliations

Knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among Indonesian migrant workers in the Greater China Region

A Liem et al. Public Health. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: Migrant workers are one of the most vulnerable population groups during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study investigated knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among Indonesian migrant workers (IMWs) in Macao (SAR), Hong Kong (SAR), and Taiwan.

Study design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data were collected through an online survey in February and March 2020 to gain information on (1) participants' sociodemographic characteristics, (2) experience and awareness regarding COVID-19 information, and (3) knowledge and understanding of COVID-19. A series of Chi-squared, t-test, and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results: The survey was completed by 491 participants (92.1% female). Knowledge of COVID-19 was obtained from multiple sources, including a large proportion from online social media. However, participants who obtained information from their employer, local social networks, and migrant organisations answered a greater number of questions correctly. One-third of participants reported receiving hoax, fake news, and incorrect information and obtained information from unverified sources. Participants were most interested in information about how to cure COVID-19, and 57.8% knew that no specific drug or vaccine was currently available. Almost all participants correctly identified fever and wearing a facemask as the main COVID-19 symptom and prevention strategy, respectively. Participants with senior high school or higher education and who worked as domestic or care workers had a greater knowledge of COVID-19 than their counterparts.

Conclusions: Public health communication strategies using multiple channels, including employers and community organisations, would help to minimise COVID-19 knowledge gaps. In addition, it is recommended that digital literacy content is added to public health campaigns.

Keywords: Health communication; Health education; Infodemic; Labour worker; Migrant health.

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