Information on COVID-19 and preventive measures reached persons who have migrated to Finland; factors at work increase risk of transmission
A clear majority of persons who have migrated to Finland (94%) and the general population (98%) in Finland report that they have received sufficient information about coronavirus (COVID-19) and the related preventive measures. A larger proportion (97%) of persons who have migrated to Finland and who had excellent Finnish or Swedish skills reported having received sufficient information compared with those whose Finnish or Swedish skills were average (92%) or at beginner level at most (91%).
Findings are based on the Impact of Coronavirus Epidemic on Wellbeing among Foreign Born Population (MigCOVID) Survey carried out by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The reference group were participants in the FinHealth 2017 follow-up Study, representing the general population.
Most report following recommendations
Almost all respondents said they stay at home if they have flu symptoms and that they follow good hand and coughing hygiene. Majority also reported maintaining a safety distance and avoiding shaking hands, however persons who have migrated to Finland followed these slightly less often than persons in the general population.
Wearing a face mask during leisure time was reported as a preventive measure by 81% of persons who have migrated to Finland and 85% of persons in the general population. Although the vast majority of persons who have migrated to Finland have also avoided travelling abroad (85%), the percentage of those adhering to this recommendation was lower than that in the general population (96%).
Overall, women generally adhered to recommendations more closely than men.
“The majority of persons in the general population and persons who have migrated to Finland report that they have received sufficient information about the coronavirus epidemic and that they adhere to recommendations. Simultaneously, however, persons who have migrated to Finland are overrepresented among those tested positive for coronavirus. Many work-related factors may increase the risk of infection in this population group. Other factors, such as lower education and income and more crowded living can also increase the risk of transmission as individually or simultaneously occurring risk factors”, says Natalia Skogberg, Research Manager at THL.
Less than one third of persons who have migrated were able to work remotely
In total, 75% of persons who have migrated to Finland and 78% of persons in the general population were working or in training.
More detailed information on working conditions is only available for persons of migrant origin. Out of those working or in training, 30% reported being able to work remotely, and only 56% were able to keep a safety distance of 1–2 metres from other people at work. About a quarter of women worked in healthcare with patient contact. The respective proportion for men was six percent.
“The employer should make sure that working conditions make it possible to avoid unnecessary exposure to the coronavirus. In addition, they should ensure that employees are following the preventive guidelines”, says Skogberg.
Continuous communication across multiple channels
Skogberg says that simple language, as well as multilingual and multichannel communication is especially necessary when the coronavirus-related recommendations are updated or specified.
“Of course, just translating the recommendations is not enough, we need to find effective channels to convey the information. We also need continuous and efficient outreach work, and this is something that many cities and organisations are already doing well. Continuity is very important because a piece of information or recommendation that people hear once isn't enough to motivate them in the long run.”
The study was carried out as a survey of persons born abroad, randomly selected from the population register. Altogether 3 668 persons aged 20 to 66 years participated in the survey. The participation rate was 60%.
The reference group were 21-66 year-old participants in the national FinHealth 2017 follow-up Study consisting of 3 490 participants with participation rate of 51%.
References
Natalia Skogberg, Päivikki Koponen, Eero Lilja, Sara Austero, Sofia Achame, Anu E. Castaneda. Access to information, preventive measures and working conditions during the coronavirus epidemic - findings of the population-based MigCOVID Survey among persons who have migrated to Finland. Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Working Paper 8/2021.
Impact of coronavirus epidemic on wellbeing among foreign born population (MigCOVID)
FinHealth 2017 follow-up study
More information
Natalia Skogberg
Research Manager
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL
tel. +358 (0)29 524 7916
[email protected]
