Investigating COVID-19 Health Seeking and Health Information Seeking During Alert Level 4, 2020: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Laotian New Zealanders in Auckland, New Zealand

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aut.embargoNoen_NZ
aut.thirdpc.containsNoen_NZ
dc.contributor.advisorHolloway, Ailsa
dc.contributor.authorNedthongsavanh, Phoutthanaphone
dc.date.accessioned2021-11-28T21:27:58Z
dc.date.available2021-11-28T21:27:58Z
dc.date.copyright2021
dc.date.issued2021
dc.date.updated2021-11-26T08:10:36Z
dc.description.abstractRisk communication is a key element of effective epidemic and pandemic response. The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the crucial role of risk communication to guide the public health response during this complex, global public health emergency. Recognising the limited research on risk communication in public health emergencies as this applies to migrant and ethnic minorities, this study sought to investigate Laotian New Zealanders’ COVID-19 health seeking and health information seeking during Alert Level 4 or “lockdown” conditions in Auckland, New Zealand. The study applied a qualitative descriptive approach which was underpinned by interpretivism and adopted semi-structured interviews as the data gathering method. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face interviews were carried out with 10 Laotian New Zealanders residing in Auckland in 2021. Thematic analysis and a coding process using NVivo software identified three main themes related to health seeking and health information seeking: 1) the socio-economic characteristics and family profile; 2) individual capability and self-beliefs; and 3) exposure to diverse information sources. The findings highlighted five important issues. These included the role of socio-economic factors and family profile in informing participant preferences for specific COVID-19 health information sources. They also reflected the importance of improving certainty and stability in participants’ lives through work subsidies to reduce the impact of disrupted employment and income. Study results highlighted the relationship between trust in public authorities and self-efficacy in implementing public health advice, and the importance of preserving and protecting the stability of existing health services in times of public health emergency. They underlined the complex role of transboundary information sources and the need to manage this more effectively. Study results highlight the need for continuing research with migrants and ethnic minorities to strengthen risk communication and community engagement with these vulnerable, but resourceful populations. It also calls for research to examine how online and geographic communities influence information-seeking and healthcare seeking during public health emergencies.en_NZ
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/14738
dc.language.isoenen_NZ
dc.publisherAuckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectMigrantsen_NZ
dc.subjectAsylum seekersen_NZ
dc.subjectLaotiansen_NZ
dc.subjectLaosen_NZ
dc.subjectLaotianen_NZ
dc.subjectLaoen_NZ
dc.subjectImmigrantsen_NZ
dc.subjectRefugeesen_NZ
dc.subjectEmergency risk communicationen_NZ
dc.subjectHealth informationen_NZ
dc.subjectHealthcare-seeking behavioursen_NZ
dc.subjectRisk communicationen_NZ
dc.subjectPublic health emergencyen_NZ
dc.subjectInternational health regulationsen_NZ
dc.subjectEpidemicen_NZ
dc.subjectPandemicsen_NZ
dc.subjectAucklanden_NZ
dc.subjectNew Zealanden_NZ
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_NZ
dc.subjectThe COVID-19en_NZ
dc.subjectAlert Level 4en_NZ
dc.subjectLockdownen_NZ
dc.subjectQualitative descriptiveen_NZ
dc.subjectQualitative studyen_NZ
dc.subjectASEANen_NZ
dc.subjectAsian migrantsen_NZ
dc.subjectAsianen_NZ
dc.subjectRestrictionsen_NZ
dc.titleInvestigating COVID-19 Health Seeking and Health Information Seeking During Alert Level 4, 2020: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Laotian New Zealanders in Auckland, New Zealanden_NZ
dc.typeDissertationen_NZ
thesis.degree.grantorAuckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.levelMasters Dissertations
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Public Healthen_NZ
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