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Exploring the challenges of women taking antiretroviral treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in peri‐urban Harare, Zimbabwe
Author(s) -
Nyashanu Mathew,
Chireshe Rumbidzai,
Mushawa Fungisai,
Ekpenyong Mandu S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/ijgo.13771
Subject(s) - pandemic , preparedness , medicine , qualitative research , personal protective equipment , antiretroviral treatment , economic shortage , covid-19 , exploratory research , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , family medicine , antiretroviral therapy , viral load , sociology , disease , political science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , social science , linguistics , philosophy , pathology , government (linguistics) , law , anthropology
Objective To explore the challenges of women taking antiretroviral treatment (ART) during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in a peri‐urban area. Methods An exploratory qualitative study approach was used. Semi‐structured questions were devised and used to elicit data on the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdown on women accessing treatment for HIV. Twenty women were interviewed through contacts from community and faith organizations in peri‐urban Harare. All interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo to make analysis easy. The data were thematically analyzed, underpinned by the four phases of data analysis in the Silences Framework. Results The study discovered that transport problems, confusing COVID‐19 restrictions, abuse by police and soldiers at roadblocks, a shortage of medication, lack of health check‐up routines, involuntary default of ART, and a shortage of personal protective equipment affected HIV‐positive women accessing ART during the COVID‐19 lockdown. Conclusion People living with HIV need a robust supporting environment and a functioning health system. In response to COVID‐19 all services were halted to prevent the spread of COVID‐19. Pandemic preparedness is important in keeping an adequate supply of ART and responding to the needs of individuals on HIV treatment.