@article{fdi:010086952,
  title = {{P}erceptions of {COVID}-19 among communities of {C}onakry ({G}uinea) : a qualitative study exploring the context of the {ANRS} {COV}33 {C}overage-{A}frica therapeutic trial},
  author = {{D}oucet, {M}. {H}. and {S}ongbono, {C}. {T}. and {P}lazy, {M}. and {M}artin, {C}. and {F}ritzell, {C}. and {S}ow, {M}. {S}. and {T}raore, {F}. {A}. and {J}aspard, {M}. and {P}oda, {A}. and {M}alvy, {D}. and {M}arcy, {O}livier and {D}elamou, {A}. and {O}rne-{G}liemann, {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{O}bjectives {T}o explore communities' perceptions about {COVID}-19 in the context of the {ANRS} {COV}33 {C}overage-{A}frica clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of treatments in preventing clinical worsening of {COVID}-19. {D}esign {D}escriptive qualitative study using semistructured in-depth individual interviews conducted by telephone in {F}rench and {S}oussou between {M}ay and {S}eptember 2021. {D}ata were transcribed, translated in {F}rench when applicable and analysed with the thematic analysis method. {S}etting {T}he eight neighbourhoods most affected by {COVID}-19 in {C}onakry's urban context, capital of {G}uinea. {P}articipants4 community leaders acting as key informants-providing insights regarding population's opinions-and six community members, who were exposed to an information session conducted as part of {C}overage-{A}frica. {R}esults {A}ccording to participants, community members have heterogeneous viewpoints about {COVID}-19: it exists and is dangerous; it is benign ('bad cold'); or it is fictitious (eg, government conspiracy). {T}he fear of stigmatisation and social isolation of those sick or cured of {COVID}-19 was largely reported by participants, with illustrations of distressing situations for the victims. {T}o avoid stigma, many patients seem to adopt strategies of discretion (eg, lying/hiding about the disease). {A}lthough community attitudes were reported to have evolved since the beginning of the epidemic, stigma remained a pervasive concern for many people. {C}onclusions {C}ommunity perceptions about {COVID}-19 in {C}onakry may be partly explained by the {G}uinean context of {E}bola history and of sociopolitical tensions. {S}tigmatisation of {COVID}+ people seems to be aimed at protecting others against contamination. {H}owever, social avoidance can greatly affect the morale of stigmatised people, especially in collectivist cultures like {G}uinea. {F}urther investigating stigma, including its role on seeking {COVID}-19 screening and treatment services, and its consequences on mental health among affected/exposed people, would contribute to identifying improved prevention and care interventions in preparation for future health threats, and to promoting participation in health research.{T}rial registration number {NCT}04920838 ({P}re-results stage).},
  keywords = {{P}ublic health ; {MENTAL} {HEALTH} ; {QUALITATIVE} {RESEARCH} ; {SOCIAL} {MEDICINE} ; {COVID}-19 ; {GUINEE} ; {CONAKRY}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{BMJ} {O}pen},
  volume = {12},
  numero = {12},
  pages = {e061715 [10 ]},
  ISSN = {2044-6055},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061715},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086952},
}