Reported health and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations and implemented solutions in six West African countries: A media content analysis

Abstract

Coronavirus has spread worldwide with over 140 million cases and resulting in more than 3 million deaths between November 2019 to April 2021, threatening the socio-economic and psychosocial stability of many families and communities. There has been limited research to understand the consequences of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations in West Africa, and whether such consequences differ by countries’ previous experience with Ebola. Using a media analysis of leading online news sources, this study identified the populations particularly vulnerable to the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, described the consequences of COVID-19 experienced by these populations, and reported on the solutions to address them. All articles from the selected news sources published between January 1 and June 30, 2020 on 6 West African countries were imported into Dedoose. A total of 4,388 news articles were coded for excerpts on vulnerable populations, only 285 excerpts of which mentioned the existing effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations or implemented solutions. News articles from countries with past experience with Ebola were more likely to mention the pandemic’s effects on vulnerable populations, especially on incarcerated people. Vulnerable groups were reported to have experienced a range of effects including economic disruptions, heightened domestic and sexual abuse, arbitrary arrests, health care inaccessibility, and educational challenges throughout the pandemic. With implications for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030 in West Africa, these countries should consider and focus more strategic efforts on vulnerable populations to overcome their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and to achieve the SDG for 2030.

Marburg virus disease outbreak amidst COVID-19 in the Republic of Guinea: A point of contention for the fragile health system?

“… 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 For instance in Guinea, the pandemic increased the difficulty in accessing health services and has also negatively affected surveillance, testing, treatment for other infectious diseases. 15 , 16 The health systems were overburdened – with increased hospital workload thus influencing patient care. This could deter or delay the treatment and management of patients with MVD and quick linkage to MVD care could be delayed during the pandemic since hospitals are focusing mostly on COVID-19 patients.…”

Does Zero-COVID neglect health disparities?

“…This lesson was learnt previously, during the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, when lockdowns led to inhumane health and social consequences for vulnerable groups. 19 In both low-income and high-income countries, health equity considerations relate to structural inequalities, like income inequality and racism. Consider Singapore.…”

“…This lesson was learnt previously, during the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, when lockdowns led to inhumane health and social consequences for vulnerable groups. 19 …”

Lung health in Africa: challenges and opportunities in the context of COVID-19

“…Lockdown or mandatory stay-at-home measures as a mitigation strategy truncate the spread of the virus and protect the health system but have adverse social, economic, educational, and health consequences ( 29 ). The adverse economic impacts of COVID-19-related lockdowns have been found to be more profound in the African setting due to high rates of poverty, high reliance on daily wages, and lack of social safety nets ( 30 ).…”