Title : The socio-economic and health impact of COVID-19 pandemic among women in Fiji

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic and its preventive strategies resulted in changes in economic, social and health activities globally, but the effects of these changes, on women, have not been systematically studied and documented in Fiji. A qualitative approach using a descriptive phenomenological design was used to explore and understand the experiences of women during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 110 in-depth interviews were conducted among women from various age groups, across different settings, and analyzed inductively, using the thematic approach. The themes that emerged were employment and financial issues, health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 social and health benefits.

The employment and financial issues identified included fear of losing job, difficulty finding a new job, Job renewal challenges, decline in private businesses and high cost of living. The health challenges were overweight and obesity, fear and anxiety, depression, Insomnia and feeling helpless and worsened pre- existing health conditions.

The COVID-19 social and health benefits included high sense of responsibility towards extended families, strengthened core family relationships, work-life balance, improvement in health status, healthy lifestyle behavior, and self-care awareness. The findings indicate the need for employers to address the employment and financial needs of women during emergency situations, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care managers, health care workers and policy makers should implement strategies to address the COVID-19 health challenges and strengthen the COVID-19 social and health benefits to improve the health of women, in the study area.

Audience Take Away Notes:

Biography:

Dr Eunice Okyere is a public health professional with BSc in Community Nutrition from the University of Development Studies, Ghana. She graduated with MSc International Health at the Heidelberg University in Germany, received her PhD degree at the Flinders University in Australia and obtained the position of Assistant Professor in Public Health at the Fiji National University. Her research interest includes communicable and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, health systems, disability, rural development, healthcare services and maternal and child health, and has published extensively in these areas.