Table 4.
Public Health Compliance, Knowledge Levels, and Perspectives of Asylum Seekers Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Matamoros, Mexico (n=20)
| Question | Number | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 knowledge | ||
| Has access to sources of information about COVID-19 | 19 | 95% |
| Has received information about COVID-19 | 19 | 95% |
| Demonstrated accurate knowledge of COVID-19 | 17 | 85% |
| Demonstrated inaccurate knowledge of COVID-19 | 10 | 50% |
| COVID-19 perceptions | ||
| Tested positive for COVID-19 | 1 | 5% |
| Suspects may have been positive for COVID-19 at some point | 1 | 5% |
| Knows another camp resident who was COVID-19 positive | 3 | 15% |
| Questions COVID-19 being real or the seriousness of infection | 7 | 35% |
| Fear of COVID-19 infection | 13 | 65% |
| COVID-19 is a pressing concern to participant's life | 12 | 60% |
| COVID-19 is the biggest concern in participant's life | 1 | 5% |
| Belief in special protections against COVID-19a | 11 | 55% |
| Faith in God, divine power | 10 | 50% |
| Strong immune system | 2 | 10% |
| Has access to masks | 20 | 100% |
| Has access to disinfectants (soap, bleach) | 20 | 100% |
| Has access to clean water | 8 | 40% |
| COVID-19 has exacerbated existing health care access barriers | 16 | 80% |
| COVID-19 has negatively affected access to the social determinants of health | 16 | 80% |
| COVID-19 has negatively affected public health situation | 10 | 50% |
| COVID-19 disease reduction compliance | ||
| Attempts to comply with COVID-19 disease reduction strategies | 19 | 95% |
| Believes following COVID-19 disease reduction strategies are important | 18 | 90% |
| Believes it is possible to follow disease reduction strategies in the camp | 11 | 55% |
| Wears a mask | 19 | 95% |
| Outside camp | 18 | 90% |
| Inside camp | 3 | 15% |
| Shares mask with others | 3 | 15% |
| Practices social distancing | 18 | 90% |
| Outside camp | 18 | 90% |
| Inside camp | 0 | 0% |
| Practices hand hygiene | 17 | 85% |
This table describes the perceptions and behaviors of asylum seekers in Matamoros, Mexico regarding COVID-19 disease reduction strategies, as well as access to supplies to comply with public health measures. Disease reduction strategies included mask wearing, social distancing, disinfecting personal belongings, and hand hygiene.
a
One participant mentioned special protection from both God and increased immunity.
COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.