Community engagement in population-level research in the context of Covid-19 in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Globally, researchers have been struggling with the ethical and practical questions of implementing community-based population-level research interventions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The safety of researchers and participants while implementing the interventions, and the need to avoid overburdening a health system already under pressure, are priorities, but it is also important to understand community perspectives on research. This article analyses community opinions about restarting a population-level community-based intervention for the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes in rural Bangladesh in a population of 120,000. We used qualitative phone interviews, discussions with key stakeholders and consultation with a trial steering committee. Community members were able and interested to attend intervention group meetings, but Covid-19 preventative measures were not being implemented routinely. People with diabetes did not perceive themselves to be at particular risk from Covid-19. Community members were meeting in groups and felt safe among friends and neighbours, but they did not feel safe among ‘outsiders’. As a result of our community engagement, we restarted the intervention but controlled the size of the groups and screened group members and group facilitators for Covid-19 symptoms. Community engagement enabled community members to contribute to decisions about how to restart the intervention.

Keywords

• community engagement
• Bangladesh
• Covid-19
• participatory learning and action
• diabetes
• non-communicable disease