ABSTRACT
Background: The Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented hazards to mental health globally in different sectors with increased in anxiety, worries, stress, and fear in the communities. This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID 19 disease on mental health in the United Republic of Tanzania. Method(s): The cross-sectional study was carried out in the districts of Chakechake, Mjini Magharibi, and Ilala in the United Republic of Tanzania. Qualitative study was done using a combination of key informant interviews, focus group discussions with health workers, and semi-structured interviews with community members and central and local government officials. Result(s): Findings have revealed that during the COVID19, people experienced different levels of stress, stigma, depression, and anxiety preceded by fear and worries. These were mainly due to restrictions on religious practice which interfered people's serenity hence causing psychological instability, fear of health-seeking and medical attention at the health facilities. Social isolation and stigma for health workers, fear, and panic of contracting and dying from the COVID-19, lack of medical supplies and heavy workload to health-care workers exacerbated mental health fear and stress. Government leaders and the community implemented coping mechanisms such religious guidance and inspiration, increasing the availability of medical products and workforce, and using local remedies for COVID19 prevention and treatment. Conclusion(s): Stress, stigma, depression, and anxiety during COVID 19 restrictions affected mental health. Ongoing psychological support in the community and for health workers who are the front-line soldiers should be one of the priorities to support coping with fear and worries.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has contributed to massive disturbances on people's economic, social, and cultural aspects. Such experiences were brought by the pandemic itself, but also by the policy measures put in place to contain the transmission of the disease. Objective(s): To assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on social and economic lives in Tanzania. Method(s): The cross-sectional study was conducted in Mjini Magharibi, Chake and Ilala districts in the United Republic of Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative design combining focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and semi-structured interviews with community members, leaders, and government officials. Data were analysed using thematic analysis approach. Result(s): The main impact of COVID-19 was on businesses and trade, with loss of wage earnings due to a reduction in tourism activities and reduction of essential goods for trade flow from abroad. This, in turn, affected people's purchasing power to fend for themselves, causing food insecurity at the household level. Trade and trading were affected due to the rising prices of essential goods. Restrictions imposed on gatherings created an atmosphere of fear that affected social life and harmed traditional forms of support in times of need. They included participation in religious gatherings, caring for the old and sick, traditional, and religious support during bereavement and burial of suspected COVID-19 deaths. The presentation also discusses how some community members adapted and persevered during the pandemic. Conclusion(s): The findings from this study have highlighted the impacts COVID-19 pandemic on social and economic life among Tanzanians as a result of implementation of its control measures. In the future, we recommend support programs to vulnerable households such as food or financial support during outbreaks. The control of essential goods' prices to shield poor households from falling further into poverty should also be considered.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted family routines, relationships, projects, and sociability giving rise to multiple outcomes threatening the health, income, social cohesion, and well-being of individuals and their families. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on gender and household relationships in Tanzania. Method(s): This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Dar es Salaam, Unguja and Pemba employing multi-stage exploratory sequential mixed-method study design. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. Participants were national, regional and district officials, community health volunteers, influential persons, traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, community members, community leaders and health workers. Information collected focused on the effect of COVID-19 control measures on gender, children, and household relationships. Result(s): Overall, the findings demonstrated a breadth of responses. Many families reported increased gender-based violence, children engaging in child labour, household conflicts due to economic hardship and strained family relationships. In contrast, some positive benefits were reported to include strengthened household relationships, as movement restriction provided ample time for family to stay together during the day. Parents had much time with their partners and children when COVID-19 control measures were in place. Conclusion(s): Although Tanzania implemented COVID-19 control measures without exercising total lockdown, the pandemic had substantial effects on gender-based violence and household relationships. The results call for the need for the government and other stakeholders to strengthen the social welfare interventions in response to epidemics and other emergencies.