Community's Educational Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Health Communication

Background:

• The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged as a global public health emergency due to its rapid spread and unknown characteristics.
• Multifaceted symptoms and international concern necessitated an investigation into community understanding and educational requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific educational needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify areas of concern and knowledge gaps related to the disease and its management.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research employing conventional content analysis from 2020-2021.
• Analysis of 340 recorded calls from individuals contacting an emergency hotline regarding COVID-19 concerns.
• Random and purposive sampling until data saturation, with analysis guided by Graneheim and Lundman's approach.

Main Results:

• Five main categories of contact reasons emerged: disease nature, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care for high-risk groups.
• Fifteen subcategories further detailed these concerns, highlighting specific knowledge deficits.
• Analysis revealed significant community anxiety and a need for clear, accessible information.

Conclusions:

• The study's findings provide a crucial foundation for developing targeted educational and counseling programs.
• Addressing identified community needs is vital for effective public health responses during current and future infectious disease outbreaks.
• Proactive, needs-based education can mitigate public anxiety and improve adherence to health guidelines.