Migrants’ opinions about COVID-19 information in Region Uppsala -  A quantitative study

Background: Migration adds particular dimensions to social determinants of health, as being a migrant can make a person more vulnerable to negative health effects. Like in other crises, migrants are vulnerable to both direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19. Aim: To examine migrants’ opinions about COVID-19 information in Region Uppsala, with regard to comprehensiveness, importance and possibility to follow. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted based on secondary data obtained from Uppsala County Council. The sample consisted of n=855 participants aged between 15 and 70 years. Data were retrieved between September and October 2020. Descriptive analysis was used to explore migrants’ opinions, and non-parametric analysis was used to investigate the association between age and migrants’ opinions about COVID-19 information. Results: Migrants were using different sources for COVID-19 information, with the majority seeking information via school, TV and social media. The migrants’ opinions about the COVID-19 information with regard to comprehensiveness, importance and possibility to follow differed. Most of the migrants knew where to find information regarding COVID-19; however, nearly half of the migrants reported that the recommendations from the authorities should be more extensive. Age differences were detected when it came to wanting the information to be less extensive, and having the necessary information about the authorities work so far and the situation globally. Differences were found between the age groups when it came to the importance of the COVID-19 recommendations, with the younger group indicating a lower level of importance. There were also age differences when it came to the possibility of following the recommendations of staying at home if you are sick and keeping distance, with the younger group indicating a lower possibility to follow the recommendations. Conclusions: Migrants’ opinions about COVID-19 information in Region Uppsala differed. The results indicate that interventions can be of use, in order to improve migrants’ health information seeking and literacy and an approach tailored by age could be helpful.