“We Were Afraid”: Mental Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two South African Districts

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorTeurai Rwafa-Ponela
dc.contributor.authorJessica Price
dc.contributor.authorAthini Nyatela
dc.contributor.authorSizwe Nqakala
dc.contributor.authorAtiya Mosam
dc.contributor.authorAgnes Erzse
dc.contributor.authorSamanta Tresha Lalla-Edward
dc.contributor.authorJennifer Hove
dc.contributor.authorKathleen Kahn
dc.contributor.authorStephen Tollman
dc.contributor.authorKaren Hofman
dc.contributor.authorSusan Goldstein
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-10T09:56:39Z
dc.date.available2024-04-10T09:56:39Z
dc.date.issued2022-07-28
dc.description.abstractThe impacts of pandemics are recognized to go beyond infection, physical suffering, and socio-economic disruptions. Other consequences include psychological responses. Using a mental wellbeing lens, we analyzed COVID-19-related stressors in healthcare workers (HCWs) and community members who provided and regularly accessed health services in South Africa, respectively. From February to September 2021, during the second COVID-19 wave we conducted a qualitative study in one urban and one rural district. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data among 43 HCWs and 51 community members purposely and conveniently selected. Most participants experienced mental health challenges regarding multiple aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdown, with a few reporting positive adjustments to change. COVID-19 impacts on mental health were consistent among both HCWs and community members in urban and rural alike. Participants’ COVID-19-induced psychological responses included anxiety and fear of the unknown, perceived risk of infection, fear of hospitalization, and fear of dying. Physical effects of the pandemic on participants included COVID-19 infection and associated symptoms, possibilities of severe illness and discomfort of using personal protective equipment. These distresses were exacerbated by social repercussions related to concerns for family wellbeing and infection stigma. Lockdown regulations also intensified anxieties about financial insecurities and social isolation. At times when common coping mechanisms such as family support were inaccessible, cultural consequences related to lack of spiritual gatherings and limited funeral rites posed additional stress on participants. In preparation for future public health emergencies, recognition needs to be given to mental health support and treatment.
dc.description.librarianPM2023
dc.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/38350
dc.language.isoen
dc.schoolPublic Health
dc.subjectCOVID-19 pandemic and lockdown; mental health and wellbeing; healthcare workers; community members; biopsychosocial
dc.title“We Were Afraid”: Mental Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two South African Districts
dc.typeArticle
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ijerph-19-09217-v2.pdf
Size:
976.56 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.43 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
SA-MRC/Wits Agincourt Unit (Research Outputs/Publications)