Abstract
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.
Keywords: COVID-19; HIV; antiretroviral treatment; pandemic; women.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, HIV, pandemic, women, antiretroviral treatment, 【초록키워드】 Treatment, Personal protective equipment, lockdown, COVID-19 pandemic, organization, Health, HIV treatment, Data analysis, ART, Community, women, health system, Soldiers, medication, exploratory, Analysis, framework, police, Transport, Abuse, problems, individual, silence, antiretroviral, approach, Prevent, spread of COVID-19, robust, analyzed, affected, was used, lack, question, elicit, transcribed, with HIV, through contact, treatment for HIV, 【제목키워드】 Treatment, lockdown, COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe, women, antiretroviral,