Page 89 - IJPS-9-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Assessment of impact of COVID-19

of misinformation and misconceptions about the disease, 2.3. Developing the focus groups questions
a situation the WHO described as a “disinformation To develop the questions for the focus groups, we reviewed
infodemic” (the WHO, 2020b; Cuan-Baltazar et al., 2020). the literature about the natural history of COVID, risk
False information, conspiracy theories, and erroneous factors, modes of transmission, diagnosis, and prevention
messages circulated like wildfire with the use of social measures. The questions followed a logical sequence
media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and and were carefully crafted to ensure their application
TikTok, causing a global health crisis, and a severe risk to to the diverse community contexts. The questions were
public health (Roozenbeek et al., 2020; Casanova, 2021). developed following the framework provided by John
The first case of COVID-19 in Ecuador was identified Hopkins University in their COVID-19 contact tracing
on February 29, 2020. As with other countries, the training (Gurley, 2020). The research received Institutional
outbreak rapidly became an epidemic with transmission, Review Board (IRB) approval from the University of San
hospitalization, and mortality rates escalating across the Francisco de Quito IRB Protocol 2020-048M.
country (Inca & Inca, 2020). In response to this, Ecuador
started a campaign called “Quédate en Casa” (Stay at 2.4. Data collection procedures
Home), which worked well at first. However, people The interviews were conducted in Spanish from August
gradually stopped adhering to isolation guidelines, thus 2020 until April 2021 through Zoom. The informed
increasing transmission rates exponentially. As occurred consent was read at the beginning of each of the focus
in many other countries, the COVID-19 misinformation groups. Participants were advised that they could
in Ecuador not only resulted in anxiety and fear but also withdraw from the session at any time, and that they were
promoted dangerous, unsanitary, and ineffective home free to not answer any questions that could make them feel
practices that may have slowed down the containment uncomfortable. Participants were also assured that their
of the virus and may have resulted in worse physical and names would not be included in any part of the study, and
mental health outcomes, and even death (Tasnim et al., that their opinions were anonymous and confidential. Two
2020; Herrera et al., 2021; Taylor, 2020; Asanza & Moreno, moderators conducted each session, and two recorders
2020; Diazgranados, 2020). took notes of the responses and inserted probing questions
when needed. The interviews were digitally recorded
The objectives of this study were (i) to understand
participants’ perspectives of the COVID-19 disease; (ii) to and transcribed verbatim and each focus group lasted on
examine the reasons for particular behaviors in depth; and average 1 h.
(iii) to understand the participants’ cultural experiences 2.5. Data analysis
when deciding what treatment to follow. This study
assessed the association between the type of information A deductive-inductive approach was used to code for
(formal and informal messages) received by Ecuadorians themes using NVivo 12. Information supporting the
in urban and rural communities and their knowledge of preliminary framework was searched for and coded into
COVID-19 prevention and control. pre-determined categories (nodes) and subcategories
(subnodes) during the narrative coding. Themes were
2. Data and methods organized into general understanding of COVID-19
(risk factors, symptoms, and prevention methods),
2.1. Sites communication of messages (formal and informal
Six focus groups were conducted in six Ecuadorian sharing of messages), use of traditional and non-
communities, with approximately six to eight (6–8) traditional medicine (use of home remedies, herbs and
individuals in each group. Four of them took place in urban other types of treatments), and impact of COVID-19
neighborhoods (Pedestales, Guamaní, Tumbaco, and on physical and mental health (isolation, grieving, and
Atucucho) and the remaining two in rural and indigenous stress). Informed consent was read to all the participants
Andean areas (Tingo Pucará and La Esperanza). before each session.

2.2. Participants 3. Results
Using purposive convenience sampling, the leaders of each Thirty-nine individuals participated in the study. The
community recruited adult participants aged 18 years and average age was 39 years (R = 18 – 55). The sample was
over from urban neighborhoods and from rural areas that evenly split by gender (50%) and majority of the participants
had been heavily impacted by the pandemic by word-of- came from urban areas. The main topics identified in this
mouth. study are shown in Table 1.

Volume 9 Issue 1 (2023) 83 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.406