Objectives This study examined knowledge and
perceptions of COVID-19, prevalence of pre- existing
conditions and access to essential resources among
residents of internally displaced person (IDP) camps in
Somalia, where overcrowded settlements with weakened
infrastructure, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene
facilities, and limited access to health services make
this vulnerable population particularly susceptible to a
COVID-19 outbreak.
Design A descriptive, cross- sectional survey.
Setting Twelve IDP camps across six areas of the Lower
Shabelle region in Somalia.
Participants 401 adult Somali IDP camp residents.
Results The majority of participants were female (86%)
and had received no formal education (89%). While 58%
reported being in ‘good’ health, half of the participants
reported having one or more pre- existing conditions.
Though 77% of respondents reported taking at least one
COVID-19 preventative public health measure, respondents
reported a lack of access to adequate sanitation, an
inability to practice social distancing and nearly universal
inability to receive a COVID-19 screening exam. Questions
assessing knowledge surrounding COVID-19 prevention
and treatment yielded answers of ‘I don’t know’ for roughly
50% of responses. The majority of participants were not
familiar with basic information about the virus or confident
that they could receive medical services if infected. 185
(47%) respondents indicated that camp living conditions
needed to change to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Conclusion This study highlights low levels of COVID-19
knowledge and limited access to essential prevention and
treatment resources among individuals living in Somali IDP
camps. A massive influx of additional resources is required
to adequately address COVID-19 in Somalia, starting with
codesigning interventions to educate those individuals
most vulnerable to infection.