COVID-19 Pandemic in a Brazilian Afro-Derived Community (Quilombo)

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of comprehending social vulnerability as a pivotal element in public health. This study investigated the perceptions and practices of a Brazilian Afro-derived community (quilombo), descendants of enslaved Africans, regarding COVID-19.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2021 by administering a survey to an adult representative from each household in a Brazilian quilombola community.

Among the 188 interviewed individuals, 45.2% reported that they did not feel adequately informed by healthcare professionals. The study found high adherence to preventive measures (wearing masks, using alcohol-based gel sanitiser, leaving home only when necessary and COVID-19 vaccination). Only 6.9% reported a household member contracting COVID-19, with only one case requiring hospitalisation and no deaths. Higher education was associated with an increased diagnosis of COVID-19 in their household (OR: 37.058, 95% CI: 4.053-338.837, p = 0.001), while feeling well or very well informed by television/radio was associated with a reduced diagnosis (OR: 0.223, 95% CI: 0.057-0.878, p = 0.032). Being married was associated with increased adherence to all prevention measures (OR: 4.598, 95% CI: 1.481-14.27, p = 0.008), whereas internet use as a source of information was independently associated with a reduced chance of adherence (OR: 0.240; 95% CI: 0.080-0.722, p = 0.011).

Despite many individuals reporting a lack of information from healthcare professionals about the pandemic, substantial adherence to protective measures was observed. Our findings highlight the critical importance of preventive measures during the pandemic, especially for vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare services, and underscore the need for effective communication strategies to combat misinformation, particularly on social media platforms.