Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study
Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various infection control measures and advice have been issued by different authorities across the world to prevent the spread of the infection and associated mortality. However, the support for and ability to follow recommendations varies ac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Migration and Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623524000813 |
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| author | Prabhjot Kour Gunnar Saebo Kristin Buvik Janne Scheffels Øystein Vedaa Thor Indseth |
| author_facet | Prabhjot Kour Gunnar Saebo Kristin Buvik Janne Scheffels Øystein Vedaa Thor Indseth |
| author_sort | Prabhjot Kour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various infection control measures and advice have been issued by different authorities across the world to prevent the spread of the infection and associated mortality. However, the support for and ability to follow recommendations varies across countries and populations. In Norway, studies have shown that immigrants bear a higher burden of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and associated mortality compared with the general population. This warrants investigation into how people from different backgrounds understand and act in response to COVID-19 measures and advice. Aim: This qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of immigrants in respect of attitudes and barriers to adherence to COVID-19 measures and advice. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with immigrants from nine different country backgrounds. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The analyses reflected barriers at three different levels: individual, cultural, and systemic. At the individual level, language, information barriers and material barriers formed sub-themes. At the cultural level, expectations relating to collectivistic cultural practice emerged. At the systemic level, poor translation and late dissemination, and overload and frequent modification of information were evident. Conclusion: This study provides enhanced understanding of how and what immigrants perceive as barriers to adherence to COVID-19 measures and advice. Understanding immigrants’ perspectives is crucial to tailoring policies and improving information dissemination among different groups in the future. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54e9293eb4dd4ad09d09ec17e012a804 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-6235 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Migration and Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-54e9293eb4dd4ad09d09ec17e012a8042025-08-20T03:11:26ZengElsevierJournal of Migration and Health2666-62352025-01-011110029210.1016/j.jmh.2024.100292Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative studyPrabhjot Kour0Gunnar Saebo1Kristin Buvik2Janne Scheffels3Øystein Vedaa4Thor Indseth5Pandemic Centre, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 17, 5009 Bergen, Norway; Corresponding author.Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Myrens verksted 2, 0473 Oslo, NorwayFafo Institute for Labour and Social Research, Postbox 2947 Tøyen, 0608 Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Myrens verksted 2, 0473 Oslo, NorwayDepartment of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public health, Zander Kaaesgate 7, 5015 Bergen, Norway; Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies gate 12, 5015 Bergen, NorwayDepartment of Health Service Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Sandakerveien 24C, 0473 Oslo, NorwayBackground: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, various infection control measures and advice have been issued by different authorities across the world to prevent the spread of the infection and associated mortality. However, the support for and ability to follow recommendations varies across countries and populations. In Norway, studies have shown that immigrants bear a higher burden of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and associated mortality compared with the general population. This warrants investigation into how people from different backgrounds understand and act in response to COVID-19 measures and advice. Aim: This qualitative study explored the experiences and perceptions of immigrants in respect of attitudes and barriers to adherence to COVID-19 measures and advice. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with immigrants from nine different country backgrounds. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The analyses reflected barriers at three different levels: individual, cultural, and systemic. At the individual level, language, information barriers and material barriers formed sub-themes. At the cultural level, expectations relating to collectivistic cultural practice emerged. At the systemic level, poor translation and late dissemination, and overload and frequent modification of information were evident. Conclusion: This study provides enhanced understanding of how and what immigrants perceive as barriers to adherence to COVID-19 measures and advice. Understanding immigrants’ perspectives is crucial to tailoring policies and improving information dissemination among different groups in the future.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623524000813COVID-19Infection control measures and adviceAdherenceImmigrantsNorway |
| spellingShingle | Prabhjot Kour Gunnar Saebo Kristin Buvik Janne Scheffels Øystein Vedaa Thor Indseth Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study Journal of Migration and Health COVID-19 Infection control measures and advice Adherence Immigrants Norway |
| title | Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study |
| title_full | Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study |
| title_short | Exploring barriers to adherence to COVID-19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in Norway: A qualitative study |
| title_sort | exploring barriers to adherence to covid 19 infection control measures and advice among immigrants in norway a qualitative study |
| topic | COVID-19 Infection control measures and advice Adherence Immigrants Norway |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666623524000813 |
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