Zimbabwe Journal of Health Sciences

Personality, Coping with Work Stress and Gender Differences on Reported Physical Health Symptoms and Life Satisfaction

McDonald Matika — 2024-10-07

Work stress has increasingly gained prominence as a global concern that resonates with mental health issues. At issue are the organisation-related stressors that need to be profiled to come up with a bespoke employee assistance programme. Employee assistance programmes include empowering employees to use coping strategies to realise better outcomes in the stressmental health relationship. However, personality as currently studied using the five factor model recognises that individuals are different. On this basis, it is important to factor personality in stress management programmes. This study was carried out in Harare’s financial services sector in 2021. It was found that there were statistically significant correlations between emotional stability, mental and physical health outcomes, namely depressive symptoms, general satisfaction with life and somatisation. It was also noted that both males and females had similar perceptions of work stressors with differences observed on job role clarity and job control. Women were also more likely to resort to emotion-focused coping. Regression analysis using a quadratic equation was run as the data were not normally distributed, and emotional stability was found to be predictive of somatisation (p<.05). The findings have implications for stress management, recruitment and selection. For many jobs in the financial services sector, it is important to consider emotional stability as this personality domain has implications for bespoke stress management programmes that could be designed to address stressors in the workplace. Organisations need to appreciate the diverse needs of individuals and come up with interventions that address both the sources of stress and the individual differences in stress responses. Fostering a supportive work environment, providing training and resources are crucial initiatives to managing stress in workplaces.

Addressing Gender Disparities in Healthcare Delivery: Strategies and Innovations for a Post-COVID-19 Era

Abraham Maposa — 2024-10-07

Gender inequalities in healthcare have persisted for decades, with women often facing access barriers, poor treatment outcomes and inadequate care. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated pre-existing inequalities. This qualitative study sought to explore the nature and impact of gender inequalities and identify strategies for addressing them in the post-pandemic period. A comprehensive search of multiple databases and sources was conducted, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and WHO publications. Search terms such as “gender disparities,” “health care disparities,” “women’s access,” and “COVID-19” were used in various combinations. A comprehensive literature review of databases from 2015 revealed that inequalities persist between different health services. Data were analysed using a thematic approach to identify key themes and patterns. Women reported facing sociocultural barriers, financial constraints, and a lack of autonomy in healthcare decision-making. They also suffered disproportionately from negative effects on their physical, mental, and economic wellbeing as a result of job losses, and increased family responsibilities brought on by the pandemic. Proposed strategies included gender-sensitive training for healthcare providers, involving women's groups in planning, increasing financial protection, and using technology to deliver integrated services. Concerted efforts are required to mainstream gender equality with community participation in all health systems. If left unchecked, pre-existing inequalities could persist and undermine public health goals.

Assessing Quality of Online Supervision of Trainee Counsellors: The Case of Counsellor Training Institutions in Zimbabwe

Shupikai Zebron — 2024-10-07

Counselling is a health profession that calls for practical training. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, many students found it difficult to get field placements unless they were already in health service jobs, which gave them the chance to meet clients in their organisations. The study set out to establish how students were supervised in the field during the COVID-19 lockdowns and how these assessments were done in a restrictive environment. Interpretive qualitative research methods were employed to gather and collect data from the students and the university supervisors. Unstructured interviews, interview guides and telephone interviews were used. The findings revealed that students had to find their own way of getting assessed and some postponed their studies due to lack of placement in the appropriate organisations. In some instances, online supervision was the only option for those who were hard to reach. WhatsApp video conferencing became convenient for trainees attached to sites that had weak connectivity and those who lacked resources that would enable connection to platforms such as zoom and teams. For those who got placement at their workplaces, the training was not as vigorous as it should be. Findings also revealed that training institutions were not prepared for global emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended that training institutions should find innovative ways for student supervision to continue flawlessly in this 4 th Industrial Revolution. There is also a need for institutions’ strategic plans to include resources and programmes in times of serious national or global emergencies.

Looking Back Mapping Forward: Navigating Healthcare Terrain PostCOVID–19 Period

Emma Dube — 2024-10-07

The COVID–19 pandemic presented significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide necessitating a proactive and strategic approach to navigate the post–COVID-19 healthcare landscape. This research paper delves into multifaceted challenges that healthcare systems face in the aftermath of the pandemic and emphasises the importance of equitable sustainable and ethical policy making. The research highlights the persisting mental health burdens, the long-term effects of COVID-19, the threat of antimicrobial resistance, strained healthcare infrastructure, healthcare provision disparities, climate change impacts, the influence of inflation on healthcare, the integration of artificial intelligence and the specific challenges related to aging populations. To address these challenges effectively, policymakers must focus on developing policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare services, facilitate sustainable healthcare practices, uphold ethical standards, encourage collaborative efforts among policy makers, healthcare providers, researchers and communities. Such an approach is essential for successfully navigating these post-COVID-19 healthcare challenges. By adopting a comprehensive and proactive approach, healthcare systems could work with efficacy.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) of Health Professionals Post-COVID-19 Period: Insights from Zimbabwean Nurses

Ityai Munyira — 2024-10-07

The focus of the study is to highlight post-traumatic stress disorders for Zimbabwean nurses in the post-Covid-19 period. In this study, Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory was used to understand the research phenomenon. The social cognitive learning theory of Bandura entails that compassion fatigue is more common in people who work in professions where they are tasked with supporting people who have experienced trauma. Bandura’s vicarious capability has it that human beings learn through experience and observation, and that, through over exposure to people in trauma, the healthcare giver experiences similar mental health issues. This is common among nurses. Continual exposure to other people’s trauma can take a toll on nurses who, resultantly, become vulnerable to mental health issues. The study used mixed method approach that puts together quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyse data. Nurses in Shurugwi were the population from which convenience sampling technique was used to draw a sample of forty participants. Structured questionnaires and semistructured interviews were employed to collect data. Results of the study indicate that nurses were on the frontlines during the pandemic and thus faced high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout as they cared for critically ill patients and witnessed the devastating impact of the virus. Many nurses experienced symptoms of trauma and PTSD, which could have long-term effects on their mental health and well-being. Consequently, health professionals may also experience PTSD with physical health consequences such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic pain due to the prolonged stress and trauma they have experienced. The remedies suggested in the study include the enhanced awareness of the mental health of healthcare employees, especially by hospital administrators and authorities. During disease outbreaks, healthcare workers ought to be aware of their vulnerability to stress. Psychological well-being of healthcare workers should be promoted by hospital support systems and occupational health policy. Counselling is important for managing and promotion of wellness programmes for health workers.

Navigating Healthcare Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for a Resilient Future

Stanley Makuvaza — 2024-10-07

This study examined the challenges faced by healthcare practitioners in the post-COVID-19 era and identified opportunities for innovation and strategies to build resilience in the healthcare system. Conducted in healthcare centres in Marondera town, Zimbabwe, the study utilised a quantitative survey design with 300 healthcare professionals as participants recruited through convenience sampling. Data was analysed using SPSS software, and ethical guidelines were followed to ensure participant confidentiality and anonymity. The findings revealed significant challenges faced by the healthcare system during the pandemic, including shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and substantial delays or cancellations of non-emergency procedures and routine care. These disruptions exposed the global vulnerabilities of healthcare systems. The vulnerabilities include resource shortages, overburdened facilities and financial strains. However, the crisis also presented opportunities for innovation and improvement. The study concluded that expanding telemedicine and digital health technologies could enhance access and continuity of care, while strategies such as strengthening supply chain resilience, investing in workforce development, and fostering collaborative partnerships offer pathways toward more resilient healthcare delivery. To build a stronger, more adaptable healthcare system, the study recommends that healthcare providers and policymakers strategically enhance surge capacity, invest in digital health infrastructure, cultivate workforce resilience, and deepen collaborative networks. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impacts of the pandemic on healthcare systems and the effectiveness of various resilience- building strategies in different contexts.

Tele-counselling: The Cog in Mental Health in the Aftermath of COVID-19

Nefasi Mlambo — 2024-10-07

The paper focused on telehealth as a cog in mental health in the post-COVID-19 period. A scoping literature review of existing literature, reports, and data related to teletherapy and tele-counselling as well as tele-mental health interventions was made. This included an analysis of existing frameworks and interventions aligned to the same. Results showed that tele-counselling has penetrated the environment and brough with it significant benefits to the profession. These benefits include are reduced costs to both clients and practitioners, efficiency and bridging barriers between clients, environment and service providers, among others. Other findings include data privacy concerns, addiction or dependence on technology and lack of human touch. From these findings, it can be concluded that tele-counselling has demonstrated a progressive move towards meeting clients’ diverse and evolving needs. It also promotes a personalised mental health experience. From these findings, it is also projected that many people may probably switch to a hybrid model that combines teletherapy with some in-person counselling. However, it eliminates the social activity and physical closeness which facilitates establishment of rapport whose empathetic flavour is pivotal in healing. Permanently replacing traditional therapy with teletherapy beyond COVID-19 could also add to feelings of loneliness and isolation that many people were experiencing during the pandemic. Therefore, a combination of online and in-person therapy may be a good long-term solution. Consequently, this study recommends a hybrid approach as this would be in the best interest of both clients and counsellors. Another recommendation is for governments to improve access to internet by all persons to promote the use of tele-counselling without challenges.

Tele-health Services in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era: The Zimbabwean Context

Jessica Nokwanda Ncube — 2024-10-07

Tele-health has the potential to make health services more effective, organised and accessible. This paper aims to explore the benefits of adopting tele-healthcare in the post-COVID-I9 era. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic gave an opportunity to innovation such as embracing telehealth services whereby health-care providers could virtually reach their clientele using telecommunication technology. A qualitative study was conducted using the exploratory design. Semi-structured interviews were administered to ten youths who were purposively selected and willing to participate in the study. Data was coded, categorised and thematically analysed. The findings revealed that tele-healthcare was understood as the virtually delivery of healthcare services using telecommunication technology. The modes commonly used are messaging applications, video conferencing and phone calls. The results also show that telehealthcare is cost effective, it allows for easy exchange of medical information between patients and service providers and increases access to healthcare. The benefits of telehealth services include providing practitioners the opportunity to attend to more patients than they would in physical consultation, increased access of healthcare services by remote patients and it also allows for more efficient ways of providing healthcare services. However, it can be a challenge in cases where internet connectivity is inefficient. It is recommended that telecommunication service providers ought to invest in internet infrastructure and broad bandwidth to reach patients in remote areas. Further recommendations for health service providers include educating communities on the benefits of tele-healthcare through public health campaigns, community out reaches and school-based education programmes.