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'Life became harder with COVID-19': exploring the experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa.
- Source :
-
BMC public health [BMC Public Health] 2024 Jul 17; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 1922. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 17. - Publication Year :
- 2024
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Abstract
- Background: In South Africa, pervasive age and gender inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and public health response. We aimed to explore experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among youth in eThekwini district, South Africa.<br />Methods: Between December 2021-May 2022 we explored experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth aged 16-24 residing in eThekwini, South Africa. We collated responses to the open-ended question "Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in any other way you want to tell us about?" in an online survey focused on understanding the pandemic's multi-levelled health and social effects. We used a thematic analysis to summarise the responses.<br />Results: Of 2,068 respondents, 256 (12.4%, median age = 22, 60.9% women) completed the open-ended survey question (11% in isiZulu). Results were organized into three main themes encompassing (1) COVID-19-related loss, fear, grief, and exacerbated mental and physical health concerns; (2) COVID-19-related intensified hardships, which contributed to financial, employment, food, education, and relationship insecurities for individuals and households; and (3) positive effects of the pandemic response, including the benefits of government policies and silver linings to government restrictions.<br />Conclusions: We found that South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma-aware interventions that provide economic and educational opportunities must be included in post-COVID recovery efforts.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s).)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2458
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC public health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 39020372
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19238-7