Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response
Background: During the coronavirus-19 pandemic (COVID-19), governments tailored various containment measures and the perspectives of health care workers (HCWs) directly affected by these policies are therefore indispensable. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of both the Nation...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123003315 |
| _version_ | 1827396997545459712 |
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| author | Prabhjot Kaur Juttla Nicole Wamaitha Ferdinand Milliano Janefer Nyawira Samuel Mungai Magoma Mwancha-Kwasa |
| author_facet | Prabhjot Kaur Juttla Nicole Wamaitha Ferdinand Milliano Janefer Nyawira Samuel Mungai Magoma Mwancha-Kwasa |
| author_sort | Prabhjot Kaur Juttla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: During the coronavirus-19 pandemic (COVID-19), governments tailored various containment measures and the perspectives of health care workers (HCWs) directly affected by these policies are therefore indispensable. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of both the National and Kiambu County governments' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of HCWs. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire with 438 HCWs in Kiambu County, Kenya, from March 11 to August 12, 2021. Qualitative inductive and deductive data analyses was used in this research. Results: The majority of respondents were females (n = 276, 64.5%), middle aged (n = 170, 38.8%) and were caregivers (n = 322, 73.5%). Nine themes emerged: i) Adequate government response; ii) Laxity in public compliance; iii) Lack of healthcare resources; iv) Aggressive initial policy; v) A misinformed public; vi) Slow and inadequate response; vii) Optimism; viii) Decayed adherence to protocols; and ix) Breakdown of systems. Conclusion: Although HCWs had a variety of viewpoints, both county and national governments received similar feedback. Most HCWs lauded the governments' early and sufficient actions as well as their confidence over the pandemic's future. However, there is still room for development. Concerning factors cited by HCWs included public apathy, false information, a lack of resources, a delayed first response, and systemic failure. HCWs should be included in government processes, such as healthcare budget allocation and guaranteeing prompt payment, to build trust in public institutions and prepare for future health crises. In addition, moderating social media, revising policies, and advancing public understanding are all necessary for combating public misinformation going forward. By putting these suggestions into practice, we can allay the grievances of HCWs and reduce inequities in response to health emergencies not just in Kenya, but similar low-to-middle income countries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:00:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60bf5c63c22041a5a99797d2122b40cd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:00:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj.art-60bf5c63c22041a5a99797d2122b40cd2023-12-28T05:19:41ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112023-01-0181100726Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic responsePrabhjot Kaur Juttla0Nicole Wamaitha1Ferdinand Milliano2Janefer Nyawira3Samuel Mungai4Magoma Mwancha-Kwasa5Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya; Corresponding author. P.O Box 19676-00202, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.Department of Health Services, County Government of Kiambu, P.O. Box 2344-00900, Kiambu, Kiambu County, KenyaDepartment of Health Services, County Government of Kiambu, P.O. Box 2344-00900, Kiambu, Kiambu County, KenyaDepartment of Health Services, County Government of Kiambu, P.O. Box 2344-00900, Kiambu, Kiambu County, KenyaSchool of Nursing, Mount Kenya University, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kiambu County, KenyaDepartment of Health Services, County Government of Kiambu, P.O. Box 2344-00900, Kiambu, Kiambu County, KenyaBackground: During the coronavirus-19 pandemic (COVID-19), governments tailored various containment measures and the perspectives of health care workers (HCWs) directly affected by these policies are therefore indispensable. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of both the National and Kiambu County governments' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of HCWs. Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire with 438 HCWs in Kiambu County, Kenya, from March 11 to August 12, 2021. Qualitative inductive and deductive data analyses was used in this research. Results: The majority of respondents were females (n = 276, 64.5%), middle aged (n = 170, 38.8%) and were caregivers (n = 322, 73.5%). Nine themes emerged: i) Adequate government response; ii) Laxity in public compliance; iii) Lack of healthcare resources; iv) Aggressive initial policy; v) A misinformed public; vi) Slow and inadequate response; vii) Optimism; viii) Decayed adherence to protocols; and ix) Breakdown of systems. Conclusion: Although HCWs had a variety of viewpoints, both county and national governments received similar feedback. Most HCWs lauded the governments' early and sufficient actions as well as their confidence over the pandemic's future. However, there is still room for development. Concerning factors cited by HCWs included public apathy, false information, a lack of resources, a delayed first response, and systemic failure. HCWs should be included in government processes, such as healthcare budget allocation and guaranteeing prompt payment, to build trust in public institutions and prepare for future health crises. In addition, moderating social media, revising policies, and advancing public understanding are all necessary for combating public misinformation going forward. By putting these suggestions into practice, we can allay the grievances of HCWs and reduce inequities in response to health emergencies not just in Kenya, but similar low-to-middle income countries.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123003315COVID-19Health crisisGovernment responseHealthcare workersLow-and middle-income countries |
| spellingShingle | Prabhjot Kaur Juttla Nicole Wamaitha Ferdinand Milliano Janefer Nyawira Samuel Mungai Magoma Mwancha-Kwasa Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response Social Sciences and Humanities Open COVID-19 Health crisis Government response Healthcare workers Low-and middle-income countries |
| title | Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response |
| title_full | Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response |
| title_fullStr | Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response |
| title_short | Perceptions of Kenyan healthcare workers: Assessing national and county governments' pandemic response |
| title_sort | perceptions of kenyan healthcare workers assessing national and county governments pandemic response |
| topic | COVID-19 Health crisis Government response Healthcare workers Low-and middle-income countries |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123003315 |
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