NAVIGATING THE COVID-19 STORM: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF NIGERIAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS' CHALLENGES.
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Abstract
Background:
The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused increasing challenges for healthcare workers globally. However, there is a dearth of information about these challenges in many developing countries, including Nigeria.
This study explores the challenges faced by healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists) based on their experience during COVID-19 management in Nigeria.
Methods:
We conducted qualitative research among healthcare workers of two tertiary healthcare centres in Irrua and Benin City of Edo State, Nigeria, from 1st July 2024 to 30th December 2024. Focused group discussions (FGD) were employed with 36 healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, and medical laboratory scientists) using a grounded theory design, and a quota sampling technique was used to select the healthcare workers.
The FGD guide was used to conduct FGDs among healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory scientists) to allow for free expression of self and better representativeness. Data were collected, audiotaped, and transcribed. The data analysis process involved systematic organization, coding, and interpretation of textual or visual data to identify patterns, themes, and insights.
Results:
Seven themes emerged from the study. Healthcare workers experienced the following challenges: fear of nosocomial infection, stigmatization, insufficient staffing, inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE), training gaps, and inconsistent laboratory reagent supplies.
Meanwhile, some barriers require support from the government, the public, and hospital managers. Overcoming these challenges requires concerted efforts from governmental bodies, the public, and hospital management.
Conclusion:
The findings reveal the widespread difficulties encountered by healthcare workers throughout the pandemic, underscoring the urgent necessity of providing them with essential safety gear, well-defined protocols for infection prevention and control, and robust support systems to address their physical and mental needs.
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