Exploring the lived experiences of first-time mothers and their partners affected by post-natal depression in rural Sanyati district, Zimbabwe

Background: There is an increased number of young people engaging in early sexual relationships worldwide. Furthermore, statistics for early pregnancy among young people has also increased especially in low and middle-income countries. This has health implications for both the parents and the baby. High uptake in family planning contraception among the young people can reduce early pregnancy and subsequent negative health outcomes on the young parents and the baby. This study was set to explore the factors influencing the uptake of family planning contraceptive services among young people (18-24 years) at community level in rural Budaka district, Uganda. Method: The study utilised an explorative qualitative approach. Eight focus group discussion were conducted followed by sixteen one to one follow up semi-structured interviews with young people. Each focus group comprised of 10 participants (N=80). Sixteen one to one follow up interviews were meant to further explore issues raised in the focus groups (N=16). A thematic approach underpinned by the four phases of The Silences Framework (TSF) was used to analyse the data. Results: The study found out that religion, partner resistance; perceived loss of libido, perceived barren, long waiting time and distance from the health facility, lack of privacy/confidentiality, excessive menstrual bleeding, cancer and fear of having disabled babies, limited the utilisation of family planning contraceptive services while contraception as HIV prevention and child spacing encouraged young people to use family planning contraceptive services. Conclusion: There is need for a culturally orientated community-based contraceptive health promotion approach to increase the uptake of family planning contraception services among young people

Exploring perceptions and attitudes of Black sub-Sahara African (BSSA) migrants towards residential care in England

© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: Since the early 19th century, the UK has seen a decrease in mortality rates and increase in life expectancy. This has increased the number of elderly people being put into residential care. Change in British population demography with the arrival of many Africans from the black Sub-Sahara African (BSSA) countries has increased the need of these services. The purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions and attitude of BSSA towards residential care from potential user perspective. Design/methodology/approach: This study was explorative qualitative in nature, using focus group discussions and one-on-one follow up semi-structured interviews. The focus group discussions and interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The Silences Framework was used to guide this study, and the collection of data was done using the thematic analysis approach. Findings: This study found out that the sense of confinement, lack of ownership, non-provision of culturally friendly food, non-provision of culturally friendly personal care, non-provisional of culturally orientated death and dying care, stigma for being neglected and perceived poor inclusivity leading to loneliness were found to discourage BSSA research participants from taking up residential care in the UK. Research limitations/implications: In future, there is need for cross-cultural comparisons of BSSA communities living in the UK and BSSA communities living in Africa or other parts of the world. This may enhance understanding the differences and similarities based on contextual social, political and economic factors. Practical implications: There is a need to understand the needs and concerns of new communities in relation to residential care and make necessary changes to enhance diversity and inclusivity. More importantly, the curriculum and professional development courses for staff in health and social care need to factor in the concepts of cultural competency and inclusivity to prepare them for the increasingly changing terrain of social care. Originality/value: Owing to the changing demography and diversity in the UK population, there is a need to re-orient and re-design residential care services provision to make it diverse and inclusive of new communities from other cultures

“Ten days of paid incarceration and mental torture” experiences of quarantined individuals arriving in the UK from red listed countries in southern Africa amid the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has affected many communities across the world prompting different strategies of containing it. The strategies to contain COVID-19 included restrictive environments such as self-isolation and quarantine. This research study was set to explore the experiences of quarantined individuals arriving in the United Kingdom (UK) from red listed countries in Southern Africa. This research study utilises an exploratory qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from twenty-five research participants. A thematic approach underpinning the four phases of data analysis in The Silence Framework (TSF) was used to analyse the data. The study found that the research participants reported confinement, dehumanisation, feeling swindled, depressed, anxious and stigmatised. Less restrictive and non-oppressive quarantine regimes should be considered to foster positive mental health outcomes on individuals undergoing quarantine during pandemics

Exploring the challenges of women taking anti-retroviral treatment during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in peri-urban Harare, Zimbabwe

Background: COVID-19 is a threat to both the welfare of the wider population and those who are living with chronic conditions like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). People living with HIV need a robust supporting environment and a functioning health system. In response to COVID-19 all services were halted, and people were restricted indoors in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The restriction paused challenges to many vulnerable people living with chronic conditions. This study was set to explore the challenges of women taking anti-retroviral treatment during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in a peri-urban area. Methodology: This research employed an exploratory qualitative study (EQS) approach. Semi-structured questions were devised and used to elicit data on the on the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on women accessing HIV treatment. Twenty (20) women were interviewed through contacts from community and faith organisations in peri-urban Harare. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo for organisation to make analysis easy. The data were thematically analysed underpinned by the for phases of data analysis in the Silences Framework. Results: The study found out that transport problems, confusing COVID-19 restrictions, abuse by police and soldiers at roadblocks, shortage of medication, lack of health check-up routines, involuntary ARVs default and shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) affected HIV positive women accessing anti-retroviral treatment during COVID-19 lockdown. Conclusion: The study concluded that pandemic preparedness is important in keeping adequate supply of ARV treatment and responding to the needs of individuals on HIV treatment