Control and Prevention of the COVID-19 Epidemic in China: A Qualitative Community Case Study

Yijin Wu; Quan Zhang; Linzi Li; Meiyu Li; Ying Zuo

doi:10.2147/RMHP.S336039

Control and Prevention of the COVID-19 Epidemic in China: A Qualitative Community Case Study

Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021 Dec 9:14:4907-4922. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S336039. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Yijin Wu¹, Quan Zhang^{2

3}, Linzi Li⁴, Meiyu Li⁵, Ying Zuo²

Affiliations

¹ School of Translation Studies, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
² School of International Affairs and Public Administration, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
³ Centre for Quality of Life and Public Policy, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
⁴ Rizhao Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Rizhao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
⁵ School of Economics and Management, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Background: Cross-infection among residents in communities is one of the most critical reasons for the rapid spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. The COVID-19 epidemic has been well controlled within Chinese communities, which has made important contributions to the country's fight against it.

Methods: In this study, a qualitative case study design, with mixed methods applied to data collection and analysis, was employed to explore epidemic prevention measures taken by a Chinese community, namely Mulin, during the pandemic.

Results: The Mulin community established an integrated plan for epidemic prevention, including the prevention of the invasion of COVID-19, the prevention of cross-infection within the community, gaining the residents' trust and support, and providing the residents with convenient services.

Conclusion: In the present work, the Mulin community was taken as a typical case study, and qualitative methods were employed to comprehensively summarize the practice and experience of the community's epidemic prevention. Mulin's practices could shed light on how communities in other countries, especially developing countries with large populations, can prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; China; community; epidemic prevention.

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China [Grant ID: ZR2021QG015]. The funding body did not influence this paper in any way prior to circulation.