Experiences of community engagement for SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 community surveillance in a rural and urban population in South Western Uganda

Background: We describe lessons learnt from community engagement activities for the successful implementation of a COVID-19 community surveillance study in Kalungu district, south-western Uganda. Methods: One rural and one urban site were selected for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 community surveillance in selected households and three public health facilities. COVID-19 pandemic and national COVID-19 protection measures were described and explained in meetings with: district, sub-county/town, village council officials, religious leaders, health workers and Community Advisory Board members. The community surveillance study was introduced to the meeting attendees and minutes captured in English/Luganda (subsequently translated to English). All minutes were manually coded and analysed thematically. Results: The minutes revealed that community members were generally supportive of the COVID-19 surveillance study. Members requested wider communities’ sensitisation about COVID-19 and the survey beyond the selected households. Misinformation and mistrust of Government statements were widespread. People in the community did not understand the `random sample’ selection for the study. Providing appropriate medical care, face masks and honouring appointments for study participants and ensuring that COVID-19 prevention measures were followed during the study improved participation. Conclusion: Successful COVID-19 community surveillance required continuous, active community engagement between the research team, and community stakeholders while maximising previous gains and exploiting existing resources.