The Role of Community in Managing Crisis of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

This study aimed to explorethe roles of the community in managing the covid-19 crisis in the Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. To achieve this, we employed a qualitative phenomenological research design. This, in turn, helped us conduct in-depth and key informant interviews and FGDs. The study participants were community members of the towns, health workers/COVID-19 task forces, religious leaders, experts from government sectors and Non-government Organizations (NGOs), resourceful community members and workers of Jimma Emergency Operation Center, and staff of the Jimma University Institute of Health. By determining their size using the data saturation point method, we selected 17 participants. Two FGDs were conducted with six participants in each group.data were then analyzed thematically. We used data sources and method triangulations to enhance the credibility of the findings. The findings of this study revealed the covid-19 crisis has brought psychosocial, economic, and spiritual problems to the community. In particular, individuals with low incomes, sectors with serious human interactions, urban dwellers, and vulnerable groups suffered significantly during the pandemic. The community applied both formal and informal techniques to respond to the pandemic. Misconceptions, poor implementation of protocols, and resource scarcity were the major challenges that the community faced in its efforts to combat the crisis. However, the community used two strategies to address the aforementioned challenges. They implemented the precautionary measures recommended by the WHO and applied the traditional social support system. Therefore, collaborative efforts are needed from the community as well as different stakeholders in campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of precautionary measures for COVID-19 prevention and control activities.