Analysis of Similarities and Differences in Information About COVID-19 Published Through the Health Authorities’ Websites in 16 Southern African Countries

Methodology: This article was based on Health Authorities Websites content review. were established analysis indicators based on the subjects published on the World Health Organization (WHO) website in the same period, and through a thorough review of the national health authorities ’websites, the content of these official digital platforms was reviewed and compared in the context of southern African countries as members of SADC.

The media and social networks are recognized as mong the effective mechanisms for health promotion, especially for young people and adolescents. Information sharing through media eliminate cultural, social and gender barriers in accessing information, as well as the faculty of non-formal education; prevent the risk of misinformation resulting from the existence of some misconceptions, due to the importance of formal digital sources of information. However, infodemics, often including rumours, stigma, and conspiracy theories, have been common during the COVID-19 pandemic [4]. Control of epidemic depends on public' trust in government decisions, and on political leaders' trust in the findings of the scientific community. This has been testified by a recent study in Mozambique where 83% of the population have trust on the COVID-19 information provided by the Ministry of Health [5]. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a Regional Economic Community comprising 16 Member States, namely Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Established in 1992, SADC is committed to regional integration and poverty eradication within Southern Africa through socio-economic development and ensuring peace and [6].
One of the most leading principles is that, identified risk factors that affect the successful realization of the SADC 's objectives is to systematically assess health events and take appropriate measures to mitigate them [7]. COVID-19 is one of the significant factors that undoubtedly compromises the achievement of SADC objectives.
Recognizing the great interference of the COVID-19 pandemic in national and cross-border development structures, SADC is an important enabler for a coordinated response between member countries. In the health sector, the SADC countries have agreed since 2010 to ensure through its member states the prevention of exposure to health hazards, reduce vulnerability to adverse health events and build the capacity and resilience of the health system to withstand disasters. These principles are based on the commitment made by the World Health Organization (WHO) member countries to ensuring better emergency preparedness and response [8].
WHO's focus on all times is to ensure that all the people worldwide have access to essential formation on COVID-19 to manage well their response interventions [9].

Findings
We present the findings, both in general and for each SADC member state. We also distinguish the variables by country, and

SADC as an organ with shared values, assumes that Members
States are implementing the policies and measures to combat COVID-19 as recommended by the World Health Organization [11]. Although with shared values, solidarity, equity and balanced common benefits, in addition to being inspired by WHO's assumptions for the response to COVID-19, member countries presented a different profile in terms of COVID-19 information disseminated through their official websites. A discrepancy was found, revealing countries with less use of the websites in the dissemination of essential information about the COVID-19 pandemic. This was obvious in the case of Madagascar, Malawi, Seychelles and Tanzania that had 4% of essential information published. On the other hand, Angola and Mozambique, presented most of the variables with easy access. It should be noted that, in this context, the regional guiding instrument found during the study period is just the SADC Guidelines on Harmonization and

Facilitation of Cross Borders Transport Operation across the Region
During the COVID-19 pandemic [11].
The differences on the data published between the countries suggest that there is weak regional coordination in terms digital communication, information and education-based platforms. This is contrary to SADC guiding principles that no country can achieve visibility in the international arena without articulating with others in the region. Regional coordination is also a way to maximize results in different interventions (SADC, 1992). Although with recognized contextual similarities between SADC countries, which led to its creation as a unique development community, the data reveal a discrepancy in the use of digital platforms in providing critical information as regards to COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to consider some common socioeconomic and political characteristics among SADC member States, the same ones that impelled the creation of the organ, combining the results of a survey carried out in Mozambique that highlights the Ministry of Health as the most trusted source of information on COVID-19 [5]. information. Some countries may be more exposed to rumours, misinformation and unequal access to information, with greater intensity for the young population. This situation is due to the fact that, the media and social networks are recognized as mong the effective mechanisms for health promotion, especially for young people and adolescents. In adition can eliminate cultural, social and gender barriers in accessing information, as well as to prevent the risk of misinformation resulting from the existence of some misconceptions, rumours and conspirancy theories. This fact aggravates the failure to comply with the preventive measures and, consequently, greater exposure to contamination by SARS-CoV2. As a group of countries belonging to a region, and thereby members of the same socio-economic organization, the generalization of successful experiences in the use of health authorities' websites for the dissemination of essential and legitimated information about COVID-19, in particular and health matters, in general.