Dr. Paul Grohma and his team at the Medical University of Vienna have undertaken an important project to evaluate community engagement strategies during the 2022-2023 mpox response. The aim was to understand the supporting and limiting factors of Risk Communication, Community Engagement, and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) approaches in initiating local response activities and strengthening civil society’s capacity to tackle the outbreak.
Supported by Sonar-Global, the project was conducted in close coordination with the WHO Europe Regional Office. The team designed the evaluation as a Reflection Process (RP), similar to an After-Action Review (AAR), involving participative dialogue with key stakeholders in Poland, Serbia, and Spain. They conducted semi-structured interviews with responders and representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), focusing on best practices and challenges faced during the mpox response.
The results highlighted the critical role of cooperation between public health authorities and civil society actors, particularly HIV/AIDS and LGBTQI+ organizations, in managing infectious diseases and disseminating information beyond their usual audience. Cultural attitudes towards sexuality significantly impacted the social acceptance and political support for RCCE-IM efforts, as well as media reporting and stigmatization.
One major finding was the lack of vaccines, which significantly demotivated stakeholders from engaging in RCCE-IM activities. Additionally, misinformation and stigmatizing media reports were prevalent concerns across all sample countries.
These insights underline the need for advocacy at the government level and with health authorities to strengthen and promote public health interventions. The study also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and leveraging the capacities of existing community structures, increasing cooperation and funding for such organizations, and addressing gaps in media capacity regarding public health reporting.
ISIDORe’s support has been instrumental in this research, providing valuable insights that will help improve future infectious disease responses through better community engagement and communication strategies.