How do Homeless People Access Epidemic Information in a Public Health Emergency

Abstract: 

Immediate access to epidemic information can improve people's awareness of epidemic prevention and reduce the potential risk of infection. Homeless people are vulnerable groups separated from the mainstream groups in society. The acquisition of epidemic information will directly affect their perception of major epidemic risks.  Up to now, the relevant research on homeless people, a vulnerable group, is mostly focused on governance and social assistance. There is little research in the field of communication of homeless people. Being different from homeless people in the United States, most homeless people in China lack electronic communication equipment, resulting in narrower access to epidemic information. In this study, we conducted follow-up observation and in-depth interviews on 26 homeless people in Chengdu to understand their access to epidemic information during the epidemic.  The average age of respondents was 43.41. The average duration of homelessness is 4 years. 21 respondents do not have electronic devices such as mobile phones, while 5 respondents have mobile phones. Very few respondents said they did not know about the epidemic. Almost all the respondents said that they know neither the severity of the epidemic nor the precautions should be taken. They could only obtain information about the epidemic in urban public spaces. The most popular way for the homeless to obtain information is by talking to other homeless. Those who have mobile phones received free text messages from the government. Some youth homeless went to an unauthorized internet cafe and read epidemic information online.  What worth noticing is that almost half of the respondents access information from the newspaper board on the street. More in-depth interviews show that compared to many other urban public cultural spaces, the newspaper board is more inclusive as open space. Besides, relief station staff, community and square broadcasts, banners and posters also play important roles in spreading epidemic information. The study further shows that, as a vulnerable group in society, homeless people are less likely to get access to basic needs and fall into dire straits due to the epidemic. Although the government has paid more attention to the homeless in recent years, the homeless cannot enjoy the right to obtain information, especially relevant information about the epidemic, so as to seek social support as soon as possible to avoid risks.