AUTHOR=Bakuri Amisah Zenabu , Antwi-Berko Daniel 

TITLE=“What Other Information Is There?”: Identifying Information Gaps, Perceptions and Misconceptions on COVID-19 Among Minority Ethnic Groups in the Netherlands

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Health Services

VOLUME=Volume 2 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/health-services/articles/10.3389/frhs.2022.824591

DOI=10.3389/frhs.2022.824591

ISSN=2813-0146

ABSTRACT=Background: Multiple media platforms and various resources are available for information on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Identifying people's preferences is key to building public confidence and planning for successful national or regional health intervention strategies. 
Methods: Using exploratory mixed-methods including a short survey, interviews and participant observation, this cross-sectional study of 160 respondents from the Ghanaian-Dutch, Afro and Hisdustani Surinamese-Dutch communities in Amsterdam, the Netherlands was conducted. Data collected included demographics characteristics, knowledge, opinions, preferred source of information, behavioural factors, and information gaps on COVID-19 prevention measures, responses and decision-making of respondents. Descriptive statistics and follow-up in-depth interviews were conducted to determine the relationship between respondents’ demographics, information sources, and attitudes/behaviours toward COVID-19.
Results: The findings of this study indicated that although many of the respondents from these communities had good knowledge on COVID-19, its modes of transmission and prevention measures, their willingness to take up initiatives and prioritise self responsibility towards their health are tied to their communal life. The respondents in this study demonstrated high value for social lives and relied on their connections with friends and families in shaping, obtaining, processing and utilizing COVID-19 information to build a sense of responsibility towards the uptake of COVID-19 prevention measures. 
Conclusion: This sense of responsibility means their active participation and ownership of interventions to address the specific personal concerns and that of their community. However, different factors play influential roles towards the behaviour choices of our respondents regarding the COVID-19 prevention.