An exploration of female healthcare workers’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bindura, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study explores the experiences and coping strategies of female frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in resource-constrained settings. Female frontline HCWs face an elevated risk of contracting the COVID-19 infection and infecting their loved ones because when they return from work. The study adopted a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of female frontline HCWs working in high-volume departments at Bindura provincial hospital in Zimbabwe. Using purposive sampling, 15 participants were recruited. HCWs were asked to share their views and perspectives on COVID-19 and their work environment. The study focused on HCWs’ experiences of stigma and discrimination once infected; access to treatment; understanding of transmission; and life experiences of living with COVID-19. The findings suggest that female HCWs working in high-volume departments experience a higher risk of exposure to infection, barriers to assessing personal protective equipment (PPE) and stigma, which impact their mental health. However, despite the complex interrelated challenges female frontline HCWs face in Zimbabwe, there are limited interventions to ameliorate this burden, a knowledge gap this research aims to illuminate.