Social and Behavior Change Preparedness for COVID-19 Prevention: Evidence and Experience from Ethiopia

Abstract The chapter focuses on three crucial elements of social and behavior change (SBC) preparedness within the realm of risk communication. The first section of the chapter describes how to implement a systematic first response to a new epidemic or outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO)/The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) framework provides a comprehensive structure to operationalize the immediate national level response for SBC. Ethiopia’s first response was well coordinated and planned, and importantly, started before the detection of the first COVID-19 case in the country. The second section of the chapter provides pooled estimates of COVID-19 prevention behaviors in the country which show a pattern of uneven adoption. The need to develop strategic SBC approaches for both behavior change and behavior maintenance is highlighted. Finally, the third section of the chapter deals with the mental health context during the pandemic in Ethiopia. We propose an integration of community-based mental health support with SBC preparedness activities. The chapter conducts a meta-analysis of peer reviewed literature on three COVID-19 preventive behaviors and on the huge mental burden borne by Ethiopians during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines for practice provided in the chapter are globally applicable. We hope that Ethiopia’s collective experience results in better success in the global fight against COVID-19.