Socio - Cultural Dynamics of COVID-19 Transmission among Long Distance Truck Drivers and their Contacts in East Africa: Evidence to inform Policy and Programming Response

East Africa registered its index COVID-19 case on 13th March 2020 in Kenya. Although the progression of COVID-19 pandemic greatly varies across the East African countries, it is evident that there is an alarming progression of COVID-19 among long distance truck drivers. While transportation of essential cargo remains inevitable especially with most of the East African countries being landlocked, cross-border transmission of COVID-19 has emerged as an eminent concern in the East African region with long distance truck rivers (truckers) identified as high-risk individuals. In response, Governments across East Africa have responded through various preventive measures, different lockdown measures, and guidelines for cargo transportation in each country. The significant variations in guidelines for cargo transportation and lockdown measures continue to pose a significant threat to flattening the COVID-19 curve in East Africa. Unlike other epidemics, COVID-19 presents a unique challenge given its mode of transmission. The political guidelines and COVID-19 health responses have not taken into consideration the socio-cultural dynamics of these truckers; and yet it is such dynamics that possibly increase their vulnerability to COVID 19 and non-compliance to preventive measures. Hence, this study will generate an emic understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics influencing COVID-19 transmission among truckers and their social contacts. Understanding the socio-cultural dynamics of COVID-19 among truckers is essential for regional policy formation and shaping of contextual responses to mitigate COVID-19 in East Africa. Therefore, the project objectives are to examine the socio-cultural dynamics of COVID-19 transmission among long distance truck drivers and their social contacts in East Africa; assess barriers and facilitators influencing non-compliance to COVID-19 mitigation measures; and evaluation of the behavioural change campaign on compliance to COVID-19 mitigation measures. Methods: A mixed methods research design will be utilized. The quantitative study will involve a baseline and an endline survey. An ethnographic study and qualitative research design (observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informants) will also be employed to explore the socio-cultural dynamics of COVID-19 transmission among truck drivers and their social contacts (commercial sex workers, and food and accommodation vendors) along the trans-national highways of these countries. The study sites will include selected border points - Busia (Uganda - Kenya), Elegu/ Nimule (Uganda - South Sudan), Malaba (Uganda - Kenya), Mutukula (Uganda - Tanzania), and Katuna (Uganda - Rwanda) borders. A sample size of 1,537 will be considered. All ethical guidelines will be followed. The study population will be randomly sampled from border posts, trading hubs where they load and/or off-loaded goods and at roadside stops. An intensive behavioural campaign will be undertaken which aims to sensitize truckers and their contacts on COVID-19 mitigation measures. A behavioural campaign toolkit will be developed. The campaign aims to follow scientific proven approaches to create systematic behavioural change. Quantitative data analysis will be done at three levels - univariate, bivariate and multivariate while qualitative analysis will be done based on thematic and content analysis. Expected Outputs Expected knowledge outputs and outcomes - Framework/ Model guiding transporting of cargo during pandemic crises. - Quantitative Data sets for further analysis. - Knowledge on socio-cultural dynamics of disease transmission among truckers. - Policy briefs - Presentations to National COVID-19 Task Forces in East Africa - Knowledge and learning briefs - Publication in an open peer reviewed international journal - Technical report - Conference Presentation - Press coverage/ Newspaper article/ Media Interview - Digital Scholarship