COVID-19 prevention and preparedness among healthcare workers in Sierra Leone
Background: Sierra Leone’s health system has faced significant challenges, including the long-term impacts of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, prolonged conflicts before that, and economic factors contributing to the fragility of healthcare systems in many low-income settings. This qualitative study explore...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/739 |
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| Summary: | Background: Sierra Leone’s health system has faced significant challenges, including the long-term impacts of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, prolonged conflicts before that, and economic factors contributing to the fragility of healthcare systems in many low-income settings. This qualitative study explores COVID-19 prevention practices among healthcare workers in the context of their past experiences with disease outbreaks.
Aim: This study aims to understand COVID-19 prevention practices among healthcare workers in Sierra Leone and how their past experiences with disease outbreaks influence these practices.
Setting: The study was conducted in three districts of Sierra Leone – Freetown, Makeni and Kenema – focusing on healthcare workers in a low-income setting with ongoing public health challenges.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 healthcare workers, and the data were analysed for themes using the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behaviour.
Results: Healthcare workers demonstrated positive attitudes and strict adherence to infection prevention measures, influenced by their Ebola outbreak experience. Barriers included limited personal protective equipment and social disapproval.
Conclusion: Interventions should focus on improving access to infection prevention tools and combating disapproval through community engagement. These findings are crucial for enhancing infectious disease prevention among healthcare workers in low-income settings.
Contribution: This study provides insights into how past outbreak experiences influence disease prevention practices among healthcare workers in Sierra Leone, highlighting the need to address adherence barriers. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of infectious disease prevention in low-income settings and enhance global efforts in preparing for future public health emergencies. |
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| ISSN: | 2038-9922 2038-9930 |