Community Materials for COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Medicines for Humanity (MFH) created a variety of educational and training materials in various languages for use in local communities and community health clinics around the world. The evolving curriculum also intends to address early childhood development (ECD) and other necessary components for community health workers (CHWs). MFH also gathered on a dedicated page on its website a range of related guidelines and materials from World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministries of Health (MOH) of various countries, and other organisations.

Below is an outline of the items with descriptions of each of the materials and available languages (MFH welcomes others to use these materials, but they are asked to give MFH credit or acknowledgement in some way):

• Community/Family Brochure: Covers COVID-19 symptoms, prevention, what to do if you get sick, and other general guidelines. There are 2 versions: an e-version that can be read like a scroll, and a tri-fold folded brochure for print. Both versions are available in English, French, Creole, and Spanish.
• Poster 1: COVID-19 for general public or health clinic use. It is available in English, French, Creole, and Spanish.
• Poster 2: Prevention of Transmission for general public or health clinic use. It is available in English, French, Creole, and Spanish.
• A short animated video (see below), which can serve as a health education tool for CHWs and can be shared with the public, including children. It contains simple, visual messages about how to protect yourself from the disease.
• COVID-19 Self-Learning Training Curriculum for Community Health Workers and Health Providers (revised/expanded in April 2020): This tool can be used for individual learning as well as facilitated groups. The expanded version includes a facilitator guide, tips on how to conduct virtual learning, and linkages to WHO Health Alert on WhatsApp. It consists of 14 modules: Modules 1-10 offer a general overview for CHWs, providers, and support staff (e.g., modules on mental health, myths/misconceptions, stigma and stereotypes, and monitoring and evaluation - M&E); Modules 11-13 provide more technical guidance for community-level clinic providers and preparation of the health facility; and Module 14 is a reference guide to online health education materials and other informational resources. It is available in English, French, Creole, and Spanish (though some of the diagrams/materials are direct from WHO materials and only provided in English). Sample content from the curriculum ("Simple Tips for How to Engage with the Community"):
  • Introduce yourself and show empathy ("We understand you are all worried about this new disease. We are here to help you understand it and make sure you know what you can do to protect yourself and others.") Explain who you are, which organisation you come from, and what you do in the community. To do this, reach out to community members in several ways, such as radio, SMS (text) message, posters, billboards, face-to-face visits, and community meetings.
  • Understand what people are saying: Listen first to what people have to say about COVID-19 before sharing what you know. Do not only tell people what to do, but engage people in a conversation.
  • Encourage awareness and action: Information shared with communities should use simple words and language (don't use acronyms or "foreign language terms") and include practical advice people can put into action. For example, provide information that addresses myths and misconceptions that are noted in the community. Some notes on rumours:
    1. Myths and rumours often occur when people do not have enough accurate information and understanding about a disease. They can occur when there are strong cultural beliefs surrounding the disease or prevention measures.
    2. Myths or rumours can also happen when contradictory messages are coming from different sources.
    3. Myths and rumours can increase fear among communities, which can unfortunately keep individuals, households, and communities from practicing the correct prevention and control practices.
    4. This means that providing accurate information to increase knowledge and understanding about transmission of COVID-19 becomes important. This can change the myth or misconception.
  • Involve people in designing and delivering health activities, because they are more likely to trust you and the information you share and to play an active role in prevention measures.
  • Make sure everybody (including families/care givers, local leaders) has understood your information. Ask questions to understand levels of understanding.
  • Get peers and leaders to talk: People are more likely to pay attention to information from people they already know and trust and whom they feel are concerned about their wellbeing.

MFH also offers a growing list of links to various resources, such as:

• Global COVID-19 information - e.g., Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases Dashboard, from Johns Hopkins University
• United States (US) COVID-19 information - e.g., COVID-19 Information & Frequently Asked Questions, from the US Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Country-specific information - e.g., Sudan COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan [PDF], from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
• For health workers - e.g., Risk Communication Package for Health Care Facilities, from the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific - WHO asserts that healthcare workers (HCWs) play a critical role in outbreak response, yet they face higher risks of potential COVID-19 infection in their efforts to protect the greater community and may experience psychological distress, fatigue, and stigma. In the interest of protecting them, this package provides HCWs and healthcare facility management with the information, procedures, and tools required to safely and effectively work. It contains a series of simplified messages and reminders based on WHO's more in-depth technical guidance on infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities in the context of COVID-19.