85 Strengthening Emergency Engagement & Communication (SEEC) for multicultural communities

OP 34: Diseases and Interventions 2, B304 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 10:15 - 11:15 Aims Pandemic plans often stress the important role of community or faith leaders, other helpers, and community-based organizations (CBOs) in supporting communication efforts during a crisis. However, there is limited evidence regarding the level of trust, interaction and influence these individuals or groups have in supporting communication efforts with ethnic minority communities during a health crisis in a high-income setting. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap focused on ethnic minority communities in Australia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was undertaken with ethnic minority community members who self-identified as belonging to one or more of six selected language/cultural groups. It drew on various validated tools and included closed and open questions. Cross tabulations were employed to explore the relationship between participant factors and levels of trust in community organzations and community leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Five hundred and ninety responses were included in the study. Trust in the actors or organizations providing information about COVID-19 varied across community groups. Overall, participants in every group except Pasifika participants reported increased trust toward CBOs and community leaders during the pandemic. Results suggest that moderate to very high trust in CBOs is more likely evident in those who reported a higher frequency of engagement with the organizations before the emergency event. Similarly, moderate to very high trust in community leaders is more evident in those who had an increased frequency of interaction with community leaders, who were more likely to ask for help, and who had higher satisfaction with community leaders’ communication during the pandemic. Conclusions We must avoid making assumptions about the reach of CBOs and community leaders/helpers into some communities or that they will have the same level of influence across all ethnic minority groups. Governments must consider the diversity between and within different ethnic minority communities.