ABSTRACT

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in South Africa’s shelter-in-place lockdown. South Africa is vulnerable to the negative outcomes of COVID-19 due to health systems inequalities, high prevalence of human immunodeficiency viruses, tuberculosis and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Conducting scientifically validated research during lockdown, in a country that’s unequal, divided and resource poor, has resulted in researchers using diverse methodologies and innovative digital tools. These notes report on gathering data for two rapid socio-behavioural studies, conducted during the shelter-in-place lockdown, utilizing a cost-free online platform to administer quantitative questionnaires. It shows the lessons learned to improve survey uptake which include the use of paid for targeted social media boosted posts, the use of social media influencers to promote the surveys, translating the questionnaire into multiple languages and adding a home-based call centre to reach high-density communities.

摘要

2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 的爆发导致南非的就地避难所封锁。由于卫生系统的不平等、人类免疫缺陷病毒的高流行率、结核病和日益严重的非传染性疾病负担，南非很容易受到 COVID-19 的负面影响。在一个不平等、分裂和资源匮乏的国家，在封锁期间进行经过科学验证的研究，导致研究人员使用了多种方法和创新的数字工具。这些说明报告了在就地庇护所锁定期间进行的两项快速社会行为研究的数据收集，该研究利用免费的在线平台来管理定量问卷。它显示了提高调查吸收率的经验教训，其中包括使用付费的有针对性的社交媒体推广帖子，