The Covid-19 pandemic brought and continues to bring a lot of changes in the way people live and conduct their social, economic, cultural, and religious affairs. To contain the rising numbers of cases and flatten the infection curve, the Government of Kenya (GoK) put in place measures to ensure that people are protected from the virus and those who get infected receive appropriate care including testing, contact tracing and treatment (MoH, 2020).
Several key measures were pronounced including stay at home orders unless one is providing essential services; handwashing with soap or sanitizing (at least 60% alcohol content); prohibition of handshaking; ensuring respiratory etiquette; wearing of masks while in public places; curfews and restricted movements in specific areas. These measures, together with fears of Covid-19 have, however, led to multiple social and economic impacts which include reduced income and reduced travel.
A key area of concern has been the apathy of communities towards health interventions. Some communities drove away public health officers conducting Covid-19 related activities such as sensitization and this resulted in many not seeking services for routine health interventions.
Globally, there is considerable concern that recent gains achieved with the control and elimination efforts of all NTDs, including lymphatic filariasis (LF), will be reverted due to Covid-19 (WHO, 2020). LF, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease associated with significant morbidity and disfigurement of limbs, breasts, and male genital organs (Addiss & Brady, 2007). In Kenya, LF is known to be confined to the coastal region where ecological factors are suitable for transmission of the infection (Cano et al.,2014, Wamae et al., 2006).
The main objective of this assessment was to guide the implementation of LF activities in the context of Covid-19 in Kenya. The specific objectives were to:
- Establish the perceptions of the community members on LF activities in the face of Covid 19.
- Assess the willingness of the communities to take part in LF MDA activities planned for November 2020.
- Explore the perceptions of the CDDs and frontline health providers on their involvement in the program activities given the Covid-19 context; and
- Document proposed measures to be taken for successful community engagement in LF activities.
Th effects of Covid-19 in the communities included the deterioration of economic activities and early pregnancies among students. People feared visiting health centres as they believed that by doing so, they would contract the virus and instantly die.
The community awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic was reported to be high. Majority of the community members understood how the virus is spread.
In Mombasa County, most respondents believed that LF was a priority even in the phase of Covid-19 as it requires equal care and attention. However, there is need to make proper sensitization and education of LF activities to community members. Regarding the community members’ adherence to MoH guidelines to stop the spread of the virus, it was reported that most people do not wear masks, or they do not wear them as required. This is because most people wear them for fear of being arrested by the police.
Additionally, social distancing was and still is only observed in public places where provisions to allow it, have been put in place.
It was reported that since MDA has been taking place for many years, the community members have no problem participating in the MDA interventions. However, there should be adequate information prior to the MDA given the then confusion around the Covid-19 pandemic.