Choolwe Muzyamba1, Ogylive Makova2, Geofrey Samukulu Mushibi2. 1. University of Amsterdam (UvA)/Utrecht University, Bijlmerdreef 702, 1103DS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. muzyamba@merit.unu.edu. 2. AfriSight, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to qualitatively investigate the lived experiences of mental health among frontline health workers providing COVID-19-realted care in Uganda. This study provides insights into the contextual realities of the mental health of health workers facing greater challenges given the lack of adequate resources, facilities and health workers to meet the demand brought about by COVID-19. RESULTS: All in all, our findings suggest that healthcare workers are under enormous stress during this pandemic, however, in order to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, it is important to understand their challenges and sources of these challenges. The government thus has the reasonability to address most of the sources that were highlighted (long working hours, lack of proper equipment, lack of sleep, exhaustion, and experiencing high death rate under their care). Further, the Ugandan social fabric presents an opportunity for coping through its strong communal links and networks. Scaling these forms of local responses is cheap but contextually useful for a country with limited resources like Uganda.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to qualitatively investigate the lived experiences of mental health among frontline health workers providing COVID-19-realted care in Uganda. This study provides insights into the contextual realities of the mental health of health workers facing greater challenges given the lack of adequate resources, facilities and health workers to meet the demand brought about by COVID-19. RESULTS: All in all, our findings suggest that healthcare workers are under enormous stress during this pandemic, however, in order to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, it is important to understand their challenges and sources of these challenges. The government thus has the reasonability to address most of the sources that were highlighted (long working hours, lack of proper equipment, lack of sleep, exhaustion, and experiencing high death rate under their care). Further, the Ugandan social fabric presents an opportunity for coping through its strong communal links and networks. Scaling these forms of local responses is cheap but contextually useful for a country with limited resources like Uganda.
Authors: Danielle Lamb; Liam Wright; Hannah Scott; Bethany Croak; Sam Gnanapragasam; Mary Docherty; Neil Greenberg; Matthew Hotopf; Sharon A M Stevelink; Rosalind Raine; Simon Wessely Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-10-07 Impact factor: 3.752