An infodemic can have serious consequences, as false information can lead to confusion, fear, and mistrust, and can interfere with public health efforts to control the spread of the virus. This can cause people to avoid effective and potentially life-saving interventions.
PPE refers to equipment worn by healthcare workers, essential workers, and others to protect themselves from exposure to the virus. A review of PPE best practice guidelines and alternative PPE use in resource-constrained environments revealed a lack of knowledge regarding correct usage among target populations.
To overcome these challenges, dHRC designed and launched the Personal Protective Equipment Mobile Application (PPEMA). This app was developed to help health workers understand the best practices around the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic.
The types of PPE used to protect against COVID-19 include: masks, gloves, gowns, eye protection such as goggles or face shields. It is important to raise awareness on using PPE properly, to follow guidelines and protocols for its use, and to dispose of it safely and properly to avoid contamination. For these reasons, the app focuses on the correct usage of and improving knowledge regarding PPE, as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO).
PPEMA, available for download on the Google Play Store and the Apple Store, was launched in five countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The app was launched under the COVID-19 Innovations Research Project (CIRP), which aims to conduct research on the effectiveness of three digital health interventions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the PPEMA. CIRP is funded by the Government of Canada through the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada.