Plan to Combat COVID-19 Among Travellers in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 2020. Investigation of Complex Clusters Through Health Mediation

Background: Given the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations, the difficulties Traveling People face in accessing testing and healthcare, and the challenges of conducting contact tracing remotely, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Nouvelle-Aquitaine developed a plan on March 30, 2020, to combat COVID-19 among Travellers. Objective: The main objective of this study was to identify the types of actions perceived by local stakeholders as facilitating contact tracing, testing, and the implementation of prevention measures to combat COVID-19 among Travellers. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted from June to September 2020 in six departments. Daily notes documenting information exchange between health mediation actors and the departmental offices of the ARS, along with eleven interviews with local actors, were analyzed to identify the actions and the specific measures perceived by the actors as facilitating these efforts. The thematic analysis was conducted based on pre-established criteria developed by the research team, focusing on the implementation of community-based contact tracing, testing, and the implementation of COVID-19 prevention measures. Results: This plan guided the implementation of community-based contact tracing, testing, and the implementation of COVID-19 prevention measures among Travellers. According to the stakeholders, it appears that the plan was implemented thanks to political commitment that enabled coordination and cooperation in public action at the local level. This is believed to have facilitated the establishment of a COVID-19 care pathway tailored to the living conditions of Travellers. Information, education, and communication initiatives supported by community engagement and mobilization were also carried out. This analysis also highlighted a research methodology that incorporates a holistic approach to health. Discussion: According to stakeholders, the plan mobilized the five beneficial intervention areas to promote population health while strengthening health equity through the integration of best practices and the ethical approaches of health mediation to engage with a population marginalized from the healthcare system. This exploratory study highlights that health mediation is a promising intervention for addressing the challenges faced by people who are disconnected from the healthcare system. Evaluating its effectiveness and the conditions under which it is effective would be a relevant focus for future research.

Author(s): Richard Élodie, Brabant Gilles, Autes Erwan, Ramel Viviane, Vandentorren Stéphanie

Publishing year: 2021

Pages: 35 p.

Collection: Studies and Surveys

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Fiche théorique et Fiche pratique - Investigation écosystémique de cas groupés au sein d'une population vulnérable s'appuyant sur la mediation en santé : illustration avec la COVID-19. pdf 160.6 KB

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