O.13.1COVID-19 Information Sources in Culturally Diverse Communities in Australia: Cross-sectional Survey

Culturally and linguistically diverse communities are a priority group that has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. However, they have been largely excluded from Australian surveys that capture data about people’s knowledge, attitudes, and experiences relating to COVID-19. This study sought to investigate preferred COVID-19 communication channels and information-seeking experiences within these communities. The cross-sectional survey was co-designed with Multicultural Health and bilingual staff, and translated into 11 languages. Participants were recruited in Sydney, Australia, from March 21 to July 9, 2021, with supporting bilingual staff. Linear regression models identified factors associated with difficulty finding easy-to-understand COVID-19 information. Across 708 participants (88% born overseas, 31% poor English proficiency), difficulty finding easy-to-understand COVID-19 information was rated 4.13 for English materials (95%CI: 3.85 to 4.41) and 4.36 for translated materials (95%CI: 4.07 to 4.66) (1 easy to 10 hard). Participants who were older (p<0.001), had low health literacy (Mean Difference (MD)=-1.43, 95%CI -2.03 to -0.82, p<0.001), or poor English proficiency (MD=-1.9, 95%CI-2.51 to -1.29, p<0.001) found it harder to find easy-to-understand English-language COVID-19 information. Those who had greater difficulty finding easy-to-understand translated COVID-19 information were younger (p=0.004), had poor English proficiency (MD=-1.61, 95%CI -2.29 to -0.9, p<0.001), university education (MD=0.77, 95%CI 0.00 to 1.53, p=0.05), and had spent longer living in Australia (p=0.001). They were more likely to rely on friends and family for COVID-19 information (p=0.02). There was significant variation in information-seeking experiences across language groups (p’s<0.001). Easy-to-understand and accessible COVID-19 information is urgently needed and must meet the needs of people in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The findings are highly applicable to other public health issues, highlighting the limitations of a one-size-fits-all approach to public health communication. Health services must work alongside these communities to tailor public health messages and leverage existing communication channels.