Effective Communication and Dissemination of Critical COVID-19 Information with Syrian Refugees in Turkey

This study examines how to most effectively provide mitigation-related information on COVID-19 to Syrian refugees living in Turkey. Researchers are identifying small and medium-sized enterprise owners who can act as information "seeds" to the broader Syrian refugee community because they are more likely to have access to important resources, such as the internet. The study is testing how trust in the original information source (either a Syrian NGO or a Turkish NGO) and enterprise owners' autonomy in delivering the information impacts the breadth and depth of information dissemination and subsequent behavioral and health outcomes. Researchers will track sign-ups for an information service and engagement in information dissemination. High-frequency follow-up calls will capture health outcomes, information retention, and self-reported social and health behavior. The study will also track how COVID-19 impacts refugee-owned businesses.