Experiences of community engagement for SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 community surveillance in a rural and urban population in south western Uganda

Background: We describe lessons learnt from community engagement activities for the successful implementation of a COVID-19 community surveillance study in Kalungu district, south-western Uganda.

Methods: One rural and one urban site were selected for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 community surveillance in selected households and three public health facilities. COVID-19 pandemic and national COVID-19 protection measures were described and explained in meetings with: district, sub-county/town, village council officials, religious leaders, health workers and Community Advisory Board members. The community surveillance study was introduced to the meeting attendees and minutes captured in English/Luganda (subsequently translated to English). All minutes were manually coded and analysed thematically.

Results: The minutes revealed that community members were generally supportive of the COVID-19 surveillance study. Members requested wider communities’ sensitisation about COVID-19 and the survey beyond the selected households. Misinformation and mistrust of Government statements were widespread. People in the community did not understand the random sample’ selection for the study. Providing appropriate medical care, face masks and honouring appointments for study participants and ensuring that COVID-19 prevention measures were followed during the study improved participation.

Conclusion: Successful COVID-19 community surveillance required continuous, active community engagement between the research team, and community stakeholders while maximising previous gains and exploiting existing resources.

Keywords: SARS-COV-2; COVID-19; community engagement; surveillance; acceptability; East Africa.