Constance Rs Mackworth-Young1, Rudo Chingono2, Constancia Mavodza3, Grace McHugh2, Mandikudza Tembo4, Chido Dziva Chikwari5, Helen A Weiss4, Simbarashe Rusakaniko6, Sithembile Ruzario7, Sarah Bernays8, Rashida A Ferrand5. 1. Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, England. 2. Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe. 3. Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England. 4. MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England. 5. Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England. 6. Community Medicine Department, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. 7. Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. 8. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate community and health-care workers' perspectives on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and on early pandemic responses during the first 2 weeks of national lockdown in Zimbabwe. METHODS: Rapid qualitative research was carried out between March and April 2020 via phone interviews with one representative from each of four community-based organizations and 16 health-care workers involved in a trial of community-based services for young people. In addition, information on COVID-19 was collected from social media platforms, news outlets and government announcements. Data were analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: (i) individuals were overloaded with information but lacked trusted sources, which resulted in widespread fear and unanswered questions; (ii) communities had limited ability to comply with prevention measures, such as social distancing, because access to long-term food supplies and water at home was limited and because income had to be earned daily; (iii) health-care workers perceived themselves to be vulnerable and undervalued because of a shortage of personal protective equipment and inadequate pay; and (iv) other health conditions were sidelined because resources were redirected, with potentially wide-reaching implications. CONCLUSION: It is important that prevention measures against COVID-19 are appropriate for the local context. In Zimbabwe, communities require support with basic needs and access to reliable information to enable them to follow prevention measures. In addition, health-care workers urgently need personal protective equipment and adequate salaries. Essential health-care services and medications for conditions other than COVID-19 must also continue to be provided to help reduce excess mortality and morbidity. (c) 2021 The authors; licensee World Health Organization.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate community and health-care workers' perspectives on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and on early pandemic responses during the first 2 weeks of national lockdown in Zimbabwe. METHODS: Rapid qualitative research was carried out between March and April 2020 via phone interviews with one representative from each of four community-based organizations and 16 health-care workers involved in a trial of community-based services for young people. In addition, information on COVID-19 was collected from social media platforms, news outlets and government announcements. Data were analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Four themes emerged: (i) individuals were overloaded with information but lacked trusted sources, which resulted in widespread fear and unanswered questions; (ii) communities had limited ability to comply with prevention measures, such as social distancing, because access to long-term food supplies and water at home was limited and because income had to be earned daily; (iii) health-care workers perceived themselves to be vulnerable and undervalued because of a shortage of personal protective equipment and inadequate pay; and (iv) other health conditions were sidelined because resources were redirected, with potentially wide-reaching implications. CONCLUSION: It is important that prevention measures against COVID-19 are appropriate for the local context. In Zimbabwe, communities require support with basic needs and access to reliable information to enable them to follow prevention measures. In addition, health-care workers urgently need personal protective equipment and adequate salaries. Essential health-care services and medications for conditions other than COVID-19 must also continue to be provided to help reduce excess mortality and morbidity. (c) 2021 The authors; licensee World Health Organization.
Authors: Rwamahe Rutakumwa; Joseph Okello Mugisha; Sarah Bernays; Elizabeth Kabunga; Grace Tumwekwase; Martin Mbonye; Janet Seeley Journal: Qual Res Date: 2019-11-07
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