Qualitative healthcare worker survey: Retrospective cross-sectional case study on COVID-19 in the African context

Benjamin, Allison; Sultan, Amir; Yousif, Mirghani; Moussa, Abdelmajeed; Abdo, Ehab Fawzy; Kayandabila, Johnstone; Ssebambulidde, Kenneth; Ochola, Lucy; Ijeoma, Ifeorah; Quadri, Nasreen S.; Debes, José D.

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.103918

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These findings align with prior studies that have documented deficiencies in health system preparedness, interruptions in healthcare services, and the psychological distress experienced by HCWs [ 40 – 42 ]. Mitigating these fears and addressing other related concerns should be regarded as a pivotal component of an effective pandemic response [ 31 , 43 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The government issued guidelines to strengthen the health system's response, designated health facilities in each district to isolate and treat COVID-19 patients, and implemented several guidelines to strengthen the production of protective equipment recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [19,28,29]. These initiatives were aimed at strengthening the capacity of the health system to deal with emergencies and pandemics, to treat patients and to improve the communication of COVID-19 to reduce hesitation and misinformation [30][31][32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Healthcare workers’ experiences with COVID-19-related prevention and control measures in Tanzania

Tani,

Osetinsky,

Mhalu

et al. 2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The ability of a health system to withstand shocks such as a pandemic depends largely on the availability and preparedness of health-care workers (HCWs), who are at the frontline of disease management and prevention. Despite the heavy burden placed on HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known regarding their experiences in low-income countries. We conducted a web-based survey with HCWs in randomly selected districts of Tanzania to explore their experiences with COVID-19-related prevention and control measures. The survey assessed implementation of COVID-19 control guidelines in health facilities, HCW perceptions of safety, well-being and ability to provide COVID-19 care, and challenges faced by frontline workers during the pandemic. We used multivariate regression analysis to examine the association between HCW and health facility characteristics, a score of guideline implementation, and challenges faced by HCWs. 6,884 Tanzanian HCWs participated in the survey between December 2021 to March 2022. The majority of respondents were aware of the COVID-19 guidelines and reported implementing preventive measures, including masking of both HCWs and patients. However, HCWs faced several challenges during the pandemic, including increased stress, concerns about infection, and inadequate personal protective equipment. In particular, female HCWs were more likely to report exhaustion from wearing protective equipment and emotional distress, while physicians were more likely to experience all challenges. While most HCWs reported feeling supported by facility management, they also reported that their concerns about COVID-19 treatment were not fully addressed. Notably, perceptions of protection and well-being varied widely among different HCW cadres, highlighting the need for targeted interventions based on level of exposure. In addition, various factors such as HCW cadre, facility ownership and COVID-19 designation status influenced HCWs’ opinions about the health system’s response to COVID-19. These findings highlight the importance of consistent implementation of guidelines and social and emotional support for HCWs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare workers’ experiences with COVID-19-related prevention and control measures in Tanzania

Tani,

Osetinsky,

Mhalu

et al. 2023

PLOS Glob Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…But there are studies conducted in sub-Saharan African countries using quantitative approaches that have assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care workers regarding COVID-19 (Abu et al, 2021 ; Assefa et al, 2021 ; Ekpenyong et al, 2021 ; Feldman et al, 2021 ; Abduljaleel et al, 2022 ; Arrais et al, 2022 ; Benjamin et al, 2022 ; Olateju et al, 2022 ). Arrais et al ( 2022 ) showed that the main concerns of physicians were training opportunities and limited access to personal protective equipment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of COVID-19 among frontline health workers in Burkina Faso

Bocoum

Kadio²,

Somé³

et al. 2023

Front. Sociol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionIn Burkina Faso, the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in March 2020. Health personnel are on the front line of COVID-19 control, and it is important to understand their perceptions and knowledge of the disease. The objective was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of healthcare personnel of COVID-19 in the city of Ouagadougou.MethodThe study was conducted in five plots in the city of Ouagadougou. A total of 20 health workers from public and private health centers in the city of Ouagadougou were selected during May 2020. In-depth individual interviews were conducted, and a thematic analysis was performed using NVIVO.Results and discussionThe routes of transmission identified were promiscuity, respiratory tract, and physical contact. Various symptoms have been noted, such as fever, cough, and runny nose. However, they recognize that these symptoms are not sufficient to make a diagnosis of COVID-19. Similarly, the treatments mentioned are modern medicine and phytomedicine.ConclusionThe research has generated information on healthcare workers' knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19. Therefore, they are useful for decision-making regarding protective measures for health workers in the management of COVID-19.

show abstract

Health workforce incentives and dis-incentives during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences from Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda

Kiwanuka,

Babirye,

Kabwama

et al. 2024

BMC Health Serv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented a myriad of challenges for the health workforce around the world due to its escalating demand on service delivery. A motivated health workforce is critical to effectual emergency response and in some settings, incentivizing health workers motivates them and ensures continuity in the provision of health services. We describe health workforce experiences with incentives and dis-incentives during the COVID-19 response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Senegal, Nigeria, and Uganda. Methods This is a multi-country qualitative research study involving four African countries namely: DRC, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda which assessed the workplace incentives instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key informant interviews (n = 60) were conducted with staff at ministries of health, policy makers and health workers. Interviews were virtual using the telephone or Zoom. They were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. Themes were identified and quotes were used to support findings. Results Health worker incentives included (i) financial rewards in the form of allowances and salary increments. These motivated health workers, sustaining the health system and the health workers’ efforts during the COVID-19 response across the four countries. (ii) Non-financial incentives related to COVID-19 management such as provision of medicines/supplies, on the job trainings, medical care for health workers, social welfare including meals, transportation and housing, recognition, health insurance, psychosocial support, and supervision. Improvised determination and distribution of both financial and non-financial incentives were common across the countries. Dis-incentives included the lack of personal protective equipment, lack of transportation to health facilities during lockdown, long working hours, harassment by security forces and perceived unfairness in access to and inadequacy of financial incentives. Conclusion Although important for worker motivation, financial and non-financial incentives generated some dis-incentives because of the perceived unfairness in their provision. Financial and non-financial incentives deployed during health emergencies should preferably be pre-determined, equitably and transparently provided because when arbitrarily applied, these same financial and non-financial incentives can potentially become dis-incentives. Moreover, financial incentives are useful only as far as they are administered together with non-financial incentives such as supportive and well-resourced work environments. The potential negative impacts of interventions such as service delivery re-organization and lockdown within already weakened systems need to be anticipated and due precautions exercised to reduce dis-incentives during emergencies.

show abstract

Qualitative healthcare worker survey: Retrospective cross-sectional case study on COVID-19 in the African context

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Healthcare workers’ experiences with COVID-19-related prevention and control measures in Tanzania

Healthcare workers’ experiences with COVID-19-related prevention and control measures in Tanzania

Perceptions of COVID-19 among frontline health workers in Burkina Faso

Health workforce incentives and dis-incentives during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences from Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About