A Technical Brief for Breakthrough ACTION Field Teams
The immunization program has been going well until a rumor begins that one child in a community far from the capital has become sick after receiving a vaccine. The rumor is becoming stronger every day and is picking up coverage on local radio.
Concerned that the rumor might make caregivers concer
...
ned about bringing their children for vaccination, a few frontline workers (FLWs) go to the house of the children who fell sick. They find out from the child's mother that she never thought her son was sick due to the vaccination he received. The mother agrees to speak to other caregivers during a community gathering to explain that her son's illness was not caused by his vaccination. She also responds to a few questions to reassure other caregivers about the safety and advantages of immunization.
more
This video was shared on Facebook. It discourages listening to myths and rumors such as those that claim that antibiotics or eating garlic can cure coronavirus. It is important not to listen to rumors
...
, but to get correct information from reliable sources
more
This is a short technical brief with important steps and resources on how country programs can track and address rumors around COVID-19 (as needed). The guide includes a number of great resources and links while also sharing nuggets from global, col
...
lective thinking around rumors.
more
Rumors emerge when people feel left out of the discussion, when their questions cannot be answered by authorities or their doubts are dismissed by official sources. But also, rumors present an oppor
...
tunity – to understand the questions, concerns and anxieties communities may have about this pandemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Internews has followed its rumour-tracking methodology, including social media listening, to identify those rumors that are posing additional risks to the communities, ensuring content is collected from diverse demographic groups.
Internews produces and distributes rumor bulletins through its Rooted in Trust and its H2H (humanitarian-to-humanitarian network) projects. Rooted in Trust has collected close to 6,000 rumors from seven countries in 12 languages, and collects data across seven major social media platforms and a wide range of feedback collection channels. H2H is a collaboration to support responders at every level by analyzing information gaps and addressing them with evidence-based content in relevant languages, formats, and channels.
more
Internews’ Rooted In Trust (RiT) Project tracks COVID-19-related rumors circulating among social media users and vulnerable communities in Mali, as well as other countries around the globe. The rumors
...
are used to inform risk communication efforts by humanitarians and public health actors, and to support local media in disseminating more accurate and actionable information that responds to community questions and concerns.
more
The CDAC Network commissioned a practice guide to draw both on their experiences and many others’ in order to document approaches, practices and tools to working with rumors. It is aimed primarily at humanitarian programme managers and field staff
...
to provide them with practical tips on how to work with rumors in their response programs in a way that is achievable amid competing demands.
Part One focuses on some of the theory behind rumors: the definition, nature and importance of rumors, and why we need to work with them.
Part Two explains the key steps and considerations to identifying and addressing rumous: listening, verifying and engaging.
Part Three examines different roles and responsibilities in working with rumous, and how anticipation, coordination and partnerships can enhance what you do.
more
Initial public health responses to control the pandemic focused on promoting protective behaviors among the general population, including frequent hand washing, physical distancing and the use of face masks in public spaces However, many saw these only as interim measures to reduce the spread of the
...
virus and hopes for a return to a sense of ‘ rested on the development of a safe and effective vaccine.
more
Internews’ Rooted In Trust (RiT) Project tracks COVID-19-related rumors circulating among social media users and vulnerable communities in Colombia, as well as other countries around the globe. The rumor
...
s are used to inform risk communication efforts by humanitarians and public health actors, and to support local media in disseminating more accurate and actionable information that responds to community questions and concerns.
more
Internews and Maharat collected and analyzed 433 rumors about COVID-19 circulating on social media
between January 5, 2021and January 31, 2021. This bulletin highlights community perceptions and criticisms about different topics
A Technical Brief for Breakthrough ACTION Field Teams
Social media can be used to collect and address rumors or popular beliefs among target audiences, share evidence-based and timely health information, receive instant feedback on materials, condu
...
ct remote trainings, promote awareness of a project, its mission and events, and more. As increased numbers of people search online for health information, social media platforms are leading the lightning-speed spread of both dangerous coronavirus misinformation and the correct life-saving measures individuals, families, and communities can take to reduce their risk. Public health programs must have a proactive presence in these information-sharing spaces to provide access to trusted and accurate information.
more
Internews in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is producing this weekly bulletin – Iliyo Semeka (“What was said” in Swahili) to respond to rumors and misinformation about COVID-19. The project is implemented in four regions in DRC – all
...
in the provinces.
more
Internews and Maharat collected and analyzed 433 rumors about COVID-19 circulating on social media
between January 5, 2021and January 31, 2021. This bulletin highlights community perceptions and criticisms about different topics
Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.
This issue is available in Engilsh, Maguindanao, Maranao, Tagalog from the website
doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00226; Glob Health Sci Pract December 23, 2016 vol. 4 no. 4 p. 626-646
The Extending Service Delivery (ESD) project has developed Healthy Timing and Spacing of
Pregnancy: A Trainer’s Reference Guide as a resource for trainers in developing in-service training
for facility-based healthcare providers and community health workers (chws) who already have
some basic ex
...
perience with and understanding of FP/RH. This is not a training manual, but a
reference guide which can be used and adapted by trainers based on whether or not trainees are facilitybased
or community-based.
more
This document offers tools to help journalists practice responsible coverage of the pandemic using evidence-based information. It also proposes ways to approach coverage and encourages journalists to provide advice and solutions that can help reduce health risks and save lives.