Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

11-12-2020

Abstract

Between August 15 and 18, 2020, a COVID-19 phone survey was completed with 1,288 adults in Kilifi, Kenya, along the coast of Kenya, north of Mombasa. The households were part the Evaluation of the Nia Project cohort. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing and lockdown measures have had a large economic, health, and social impact on respondents. Many are earning less income due to COVID-19 even as costs of household items have risen, and a substantial percentage report experiencing food insecurity. Relative to need, very few adults are receiving assistance in the form of cash, vouchers, or essential items. Among the recommendations in this brief are that COVID-19 public education campaigns in Kilifi focus on addressing stigma and ensuring that those who test positive for COVID-19 receive needed food and medical care. COVID-19 information should be targeted to women, who so far have less accurate knowledge regarding symptoms and some preventive methods. Food distributions may be necessary to address the pervasive food insecurity in Kilifi, with over half of participants skipping meals.

DOI

10.31899/pgy17.1004

Language

English

Project

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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