Using the Community Perception Tracker (CPT) to inform COVID-19 response in Lebanon and Zimbabwe: a qualitative...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Engagement
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Lack of systematic methods for community engagement in disease outbreaks.
• Oxfam's Community Perception Tracker (CPT) designed to capture real-time perceptions and response actions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the feasibility of the CPT approach in Zimbabwe and Lebanon.
• Assess if CPT incorporation leads to more relevant COVID-19 response programming.

Main Methods:

• Phased, qualitative process evaluation.
• Interviews with CPT-implementing staff and outbreak-affected populations.
• Analysis of programmatic data.

Main Results:

• Initial staff training challenges evolved into CPT feasibility and value.
• CPT data drove programmatic adjustments in messaging and distribution.
• Populations reported increased knowledge and preventative behaviors, finding programs relevant.

Conclusions:

• CPT shows promise for systematic community engagement and incorporating perspectives.
• While programs were perceived as useful, direct attribution to CPT is limited by study design.