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

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 197; pp. 28 - 35
• Main Authors: Liem, A., Wang, C., Dong, C., Lam, A.I.F., Latkin, C.A., Hall, B.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Houndsmill Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd; The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd
• Subjects: Campaigns; Chi-square test; Communication strategies; Community organizations; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cure; Digital literacy; Education; Fever; Health communication; Health education; Health information; Higher education; Infodemic; Knowledge; Labour worker; Mass media; Migrant health; Migrant workers; News; Original Research; Pandemics; Polls & surveys; Prevention; Public health; Secondary schools; Social media; Social networks; Social organization; Sociodemographics; Statistical tests; Vaccines; Viral diseases; Vulnerability; Workers; Migrant health; Infodemic; Health education; Health communication; Labour worker
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.05.029

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. This was a cross-sectional study. 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. 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. 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.