The South African health care system was hard hit by the second wave of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which affected nurse managers as healthcare facilities became overwhelmed due to an increased workload emanating from the overflow of admissions. Therefore, this study sought to explore and describe the nurse managers’ experiences during COVID-19 in order to identify gaps and lessons learnt. A descriptive phenomenological research approach was used to explore the experiences of ten nurse managers who were purposively selected from different units of a selected district hospital. Data was collected through telephonic unstructured individual interviews and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven steps method. The study revealed that nurse managers experienced human resource related challenges during COVID-19, worsened by the fact that vacant posts were frozen. It also emerged that there was a shortage of material resources that affected patient care. Nurse managers also indicated that COVID-19 brought a lot of administrative duties plus an additional duty of patient care. Also, nurse managers who had previously contracted COVID-19 experienced stigma and discrimination. The government needs to address resource related challenges in rural public hospitals and provide continuous support to nurse managers, particularly during a pandemic like COVID-19.

Background: Healthcare workers play a critical role in the delivery of healthcare services. Because of the high risk of exposure to healthcare workers, the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact as they struggled to contain the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the challenges they faced after contracting COVID-19.Methods: An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) design was employed to gain insight into the lived experiences of healthcare workers who contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. This study involved participants who were healthcare workers based at a central hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Data were collected through in-depth interviews that were audio recorded. A sample size of ten was reached based on data saturation.Results: The study showed that healthcare workers lacked psychosocial support, experienced economic challenges as they incurred diagnostic and treatment costs. The study also found that the healthcare workers experienced stigma and discrimination both at work and in the community. Findings also indicate that healthcare workers did not receive institutional support. The study demonstrated lack of preparedness at the institution evidenced by inadequate testing for COVID-19 and shortage of personal protective equipment.Conclusion: This study’s findings will be critical for health authorities, programmers and policymakers to facilitate planning and preparedness for pandemics. The researchers recommend setting up a differentiated service delivery support system for healthcare workers to cater for their mental health and well-being and that of their families.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a far-reaching, negative impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare workers play a critical role in the country’s healthcare delivery system, as they facilitate a continuum of care and containment of diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of healthcare workers who provided care to COVID-19 patients at a central hospital in Zimbabwe.Method: The researchers used an interpretative phenomenological analysis design. In-depth interviews were conducted virtually with 10 frontline healthcare workers working at a COVID-19 centre in Zimbabwe. Data collection was guided by an interview guide. All audio-recorded interview data were transcribed verbatim into written text. Data analysis was conducted using an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. An expert in qualitative research acted as an independent co-coder and conducted the open coding of each transcript.Results: Findings reveal inadequate preparation and training of healthcare providers before the commencement of duty, resources-related challenges and a lack of support as significant experiences of healthcare providers. Moreover, healthcare providers have been subjected to stigma and discrimination attached to COVID-19, resulting in psychological effects on frontline healthcare providers.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic brings unique and challenging experiences for frontline healthcare workers, resulting in a physically and emotionally drained workforce. This study calls for comprehensive support in the form of counselling, reasonable work schedules, training and adequate provision of personal protective equipment.

Key populations are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but under-represented in HIV testing and treatment programmes (World Health Organization [WHO] 2017:15). In spite of the fact that key populations constitute a small proportion of the general population globally, statistics indicate that in 2018, more than half (54%) of the new infections were from key populations and their partners (UNAIDS 2019a). To achieve HIV epidemic control, it is critical that key populations have access to HIV care services, which include testing, treatment and retention in care and maintaining undetectable viral load. In addition, according to UNAIDS (2019a:9), available data indicated that in 2018 the risk of acquiring HIV by men who have sex with other men (MSM) was 22 times higher than amongst all adult men, and 17% of new infections were from this group globally. Despite this, key population groups such as MSM are underserved. The concealed nature of many key populations, stigma and discrimination and criminalisation of their behaviour make it difficult to track various steps along the HIV care continuum (UNAIDS 2019b:6-7).UNAIDS data show that, in eastern and southern Africa, there has been a significant decline in the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. However, in 2018, 25% of the new infections in these regions were from key populations and their partners. According to UNAIDS, it is estimated that 37.9 million people were living with HIV, and there were 1.7 million new infections globally at the end of 2018. The UNAIDS 2019 Data Report highlighted the fact that sub-Saharan Africa is still at the epicentre of the global HIV epidemic, with 61% of all HIV new infections occurring in this region in 2018. The top five countries being Swaziland (27.3%), South Africa (20.4%), Botswana (20.3%), Zimbabwe (12.7%) and Malawi (9.2%) (UNAIDS 2019a:35-73).Background: Key populations such as men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), yet they are underserved. This vulnerable group also faces stigma and discrimination when utilising the healthcare services. However, to achieve the HIV epidemic control, it is important for them to have access to HIV care services. Aim:The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of men who have sex with men (MSM) as they accessed HIV care services in healthcare settings in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Setting:The study setting was healthcare facilities (state and private owned) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, that offer HIV care services. Methods:The study used a descriptive phenomenological design targeting self-identified MSM living with HIV. Data were gathered by using in-depth individual interviews that were audio recorded. Data saturation determined sample size. Data were transcribed verbatim and later analysed thematically. Results:The study revealed that counselling given to MSM was generalised and not individualised. Some clients faced stigma and discrimination after disclosure. Peer and family su...

Background: Although sub-Saharan African countries have rolled out massive HIV treatment and care programmes, there is little evidence of these having embraced key population groups particularly female sex workers. Due to the criminalisation of sex work in countries like Zimbabwe, research on HIV and its impact on this group is sparse. The absence of an enabling environment has hindered access to HIV care and treatment services for female sex workers. Objectives: To gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of female sex workers accessing HIV care and treatment services to enhance programming and planning for this key population group. Methods: This study was qualitative and phenomenological. Data saturation determined the sample size of 20 participants. Data was collected using in-depth interviews that were audio recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic content anal- ysis. Results: Our findings demonstrate varying dynamics between the private and public sector HIV care services for sex work- ers, with facilitators and barriers to access to care. Conclusion: Health workers need sensitization and training in the provision of differentiated care. For effective linkage to and retention in care an enabling environment is critical. Keywords: Linkage to care; retention in care; enabling environment; facilitators; barriers.