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Community health workers experiences and perceptions of working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos, Nigeria—a qualitative study
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Thet Wai, Khin, Olateju, Zahra, Olufunlayo, Tolulope, MacArthur, Christine, Leung, Charlotte and Taylor, Beck (2022) Community health workers experiences and perceptions of working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos, Nigeria—a qualitative study. PLoS One, 17 (3). e0265092. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0265092 ISSN 1932-6203.
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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265092
Abstract
Background
Community Health Workers are globally recognised as crucial members of healthcare systems in low and middle-income countries, but their role and experience during COVID-19 is not well-understood. This study aimed to explore factors that influence CHWs’ ability and willingness to work in the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos.
Design
A generic qualitative study exploring Community Health Workers experiences and perceptions of working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods
15 semi-structured, in-depth, video interviews were conducted with Community Health Workers purposively sampled across seven of Lagos’ Local Government Areas with the highest COVID-19 burden. Interviews explored Community Health Workers’ attitudes towards COVID-19, its management, and their experiences working in Lagos. Data was analysed thematically using the framework method.
Results
Three main themes were identified. 1. Influences on ability to undertake COVID-19 Role: Trust and COVID-19 knowledge were found to aid Community Health Workers in their work. However, challenges included exhaustion due to an increased workload, public misconceptions about COVID-19, stigmatisation of COVID-19 patients, delayed access to care and lack of transportation. 2. Influences on willingness to work in COVID-19 Role: Community Health Workers’ perceptions of COVID-19, attitudes towards responsibility for COVID-19 risk at work, commitment and faith appeared to increase willingness to work. 3. Suggested Improvements: Financial incentives, provision of adequate personal protective equipment, transportation, and increasing staff numbers were seen as potential strategies to address many of the challenges faced.
Conclusion
Despite Community Health Workers being committed to their role, they have faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Changes to their working environment may make their role during disease outbreaks more fulfilling and sustainable. International input is required to enhance Nigeria’s policies and infrastructure to better support Community Health Workers during both current and future outbreaks.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
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Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine | ||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School | ||||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Nigeria -- Lagos, Community health services -- Nigeria -- Lagos | ||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | PLoS One | ||||||
Publisher: | Public Library of Science | ||||||
ISSN: | 1932-6203 | ||||||
Official Date: | 8 March 2022 | ||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 17 | ||||||
Number: | 3 | ||||||
Article Number: | e0265092 | ||||||
DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0265092 | ||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | ||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 22 May 2023 | ||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 24 May 2023 |
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