Community perspectives on the COVID-19 response, Zimbabwe

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Sociology

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges globally.
• Early pandemic responses required rapid adaptation by communities and healthcare systems worldwide.
• Understanding local perspectives is vital for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate community and health-care workers' perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess early pandemic responses during the initial two weeks of national lockdown in Zimbabwe.

Main Methods:

• Rapid qualitative research utilizing phone interviews with community representatives and healthcare workers.
• Data collection also included information from social media, news, and government announcements.
• Thematic analysis was employed to interpret the collected data.

Main Results:

• Individuals experienced information overload, fear, and unanswered questions due to a lack of trusted sources.
• Community compliance with prevention measures was hindered by limited access to food, water, and daily income.
• Healthcare workers felt vulnerable and undervalued due to shortages of personal protective equipment and inadequate pay.
• Resources were diverted from other health conditions, potentially leading to wider health implications.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 prevention measures must be contextually appropriate for local settings.
• Zimbabwean communities need support with basic needs and access to reliable information.
• Healthcare workers require urgent provision of personal protective equipment and fair compensation.
• Continued provision of essential healthcare services for non-COVID-19 conditions is critical to reduce excess mortality and morbidity.