PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Cross-border movements between districts bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are common due to the interdependence between populations on either side, though this increases the risk of the international spread of infectious diseases. Due to the nature of their work, boda boda drivers (motorcycle taxis), taxis and truck drivers continue to cross the border during epidemics. However, perceived risk of contracting and spreading communicable diseases may be influenced by several factors such as the level of education, packaging and perception of health care messages, limited interaction with local socio-cultural dynamics or personal experiences. This study aims to explore differences in movement patterns and risk perceptions as factors for transmission among transport drivers in Ugandan border districts during the 2018-2020 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Between May and June 2021, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with transport drivers in three Ugandan districts bordering DRC (Kasese, Kisoro and Hoima). Participants were asked about their knowledge and beliefs about EVD and COVID-19, perceived risk during epidemics, reasons for, and travel patterns during the EVD epidemic and COVID- 19 pandemic. A thematic content analysis was applied.
Participants\' awareness of EVD was higher than that of COVID-19 however, the risk of transmission of Ebola virus was perceived as a remote threat. Measures restricting mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on transport drivers compared to those implemented during the EVD epidemic, and were perceived as prohibitive rather than protective, largely due to fear of reprisals by security officers. Despite this, drivers were unlikely to be able to comply with the restrictions as they relied on their work as a source of income.
The vulnerabilities of transport drivers should be considered in the context of epidemics such EVD and COVID-19 in Uganda. Policy makers should address these particularities and assess the impact of public health measures on transport drivers\' mobility and involve them in designing of mobility-relatedpolicies.
Between May and June 2021, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with transport drivers in three Ugandan districts bordering DRC (Kasese, Kisoro and Hoima). Participants were asked about their knowledge and beliefs about EVD and COVID-19, perceived risk during epidemics, reasons for, and travel patterns during the EVD epidemic and COVID- 19 pandemic. A thematic content analysis was applied.
Participants\' awareness of EVD was higher than that of COVID-19 however, the risk of transmission of Ebola virus was perceived as a remote threat. Measures restricting mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on transport drivers compared to those implemented during the EVD epidemic, and were perceived as prohibitive rather than protective, largely due to fear of reprisals by security officers. Despite this, drivers were unlikely to be able to comply with the restrictions as they relied on their work as a source of income.
The vulnerabilities of transport drivers should be considered in the context of epidemics such EVD and COVID-19 in Uganda. Policy makers should address these particularities and assess the impact of public health measures on transport drivers\' mobility and involve them in designing of mobility-relatedpolicies.
摘要：
■由于双方人口之间的相互依存关系，与乌干达和刚果民主共和国（DRC）接壤的地区之间的跨境流动很普遍，尽管这增加了传染病在国际上传播的风险。由于他们的工作性质,bodaboda司机（摩托车出租车），在流行病期间，出租车和卡车司机继续越境。然而,感染和传播传染病的感知风险可能受到几个因素的影响，例如教育水平，医疗保健信息的包装和感知，与当地社会文化动态或个人经历的互动有限。这项研究旨在探讨2018-2020年埃博拉病毒病（EVD）流行和当前COVID-19大流行期间，乌干达边境地区交通司机之间的传播因素，即运动模式和风险认知的差异。
■在2021年5月至6月之间，在与刚果民主共和国接壤的三个乌干达地区（Kasese，Kisoro和Hoima）。参与者被问及他们对EVD和COVID-19的知识和信念，流行病期间的感知风险，原因,埃博拉病毒病流行和新冠肺炎大流行期间的旅行模式。应用了主题内容分析。
参与者对EVD的认识高于COVID-19，埃博拉病毒传播的风险被认为是一个遥远的威胁。与EVD流行期间实施的措施相比，COVID-19大流行期间限制行动的措施对运输驾驶员的影响更大，被认为是禁止性的而不是保护性的，主要是由于担心安全人员的报复。尽管如此,司机不太可能遵守这些限制，因为他们依赖工作作为收入来源。
■应在乌干达的EVD和COVID-19等流行病的背景下考虑运输驾驶员的脆弱性。政策制定者应解决这些特殊性，并评估公共卫生措施对交通驾驶员流动性的影响，并让他们参与制定与流动性相关的政策。
■在2021年5月至6月之间，在与刚果民主共和国接壤的三个乌干达地区（Kasese，Kisoro和Hoima）。参与者被问及他们对EVD和COVID-19的知识和信念，流行病期间的感知风险，原因,埃博拉病毒病流行和新冠肺炎大流行期间的旅行模式。应用了主题内容分析。
参与者对EVD的认识高于COVID-19，埃博拉病毒传播的风险被认为是一个遥远的威胁。与EVD流行期间实施的措施相比，COVID-19大流行期间限制行动的措施对运输驾驶员的影响更大，被认为是禁止性的而不是保护性的，主要是由于担心安全人员的报复。尽管如此,司机不太可能遵守这些限制，因为他们依赖工作作为收入来源。
■应在乌干达的EVD和COVID-19等流行病的背景下考虑运输驾驶员的脆弱性。政策制定者应解决这些特殊性，并评估公共卫生措施对交通驾驶员流动性的影响，并让他们参与制定与流动性相关的政策。
