Healthcare workers suffered different mental health challenges during Covid-19, according to the findings of new research conducted by experts from the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (Muhas).
The findings also show that there was low uptake of Covid-19 vaccines among citizens from both sides of the union (Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar), partly due to their perceptions of the disease and vaccines.
These are some of the findings presented last Tuesday by different Muhas scientists during the submission dubbed the Amne Salim Covid-19 research fund dissemination symposium.
A total of eight research disseminations were presented under the funding of the Amne Salim research fund established by the family of former Prime Minister, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim.
The fund was established in honour of Ms Amne Salim (1944–2020), who is Dr Salim’s wife, through whom the family donated Sh100 million. The former premier’s wife succumbed to Covid-19, therefore, the fund is aimed at supporting research on the pandemic through locally generated evidence.
This year’s event was graced by the President of Zanzibar and the chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
Research was carried out in different areas, including mental health challenges and their associated factors; myths and perceptions about disease vaccination among the adult population; and access to Covid-19 vaccine information among rural communities in Tanzania.
Others are profiling neutralising antibodies against selected SARS-CoV-2 variants; the seroprevalence of Covid-19 antibodies among women of reproductive age in Unguja and Pemba; practices on the use of traditional medicine in the management of Covid-19; epidemiological, clinical profile and outcomes of children with Covid-19 and the vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics.
Regarding healthcare workers and mental health challenges, a research report says they experienced different mental health challenges during the pandemic, such as anxiety at 89.9 percent, stress at 53.3 percent and depression at 15.2 percent.
Furthermore, research findings show that the determinants of mental health challenges include sex, cadre, job-comorbid disease, management of patients diagnosed with Covid-19, and location.
According to the report, the findings came from 347 healthcare workers (40 percent male and 60 percent female) who were interviewed. The majority had a bachelor’s degree (31 percent) and only four percent had a master’s degree, according to the document.
“52 percent of the respondents were nurses, 19 percent were clinicians, and 80 percent of them worked as frontline workers,” reads the document in part.
“The study recommends that there should be tailored psychological coping training for all the cadres to assist them to withstand the mental health challenges at workplaces even at times without the pandemics,” reads another part of the study conducted by Ms Alphoncina Kagaigai, Bwire Nicolaus Bwire, Samuel Likindikoki and Nathanael Sirili.
Regarding the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines, most respondents said that they would rather delay vaccination for Covid-19 at the moment to be sure about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal, in some instances, participants mentioned that they do not believe on the existence of the disease so there is no need to vaccinate, according to the document.
“Some respondents believe that vaccines are just for business in western countries but not for health implications,” reads another part of the research findings carried by Leonida Simon Kanyuma, Lazaro Solomon Haule, Ramla Adam Chamvanga, and Rehema Chande Mallya.
“The study calls for designing an intervention that supports individuals by ensuring the correct information to allow people to make informed decisions.
“Recognising and focusing on the barriers revealed by this study can increase acceptance and uptake of Covid-19 vaccine in Tanzania and possibly elsewhere,” reads part of the report.
Another research carried out in Unguja and Pemba shows that the prevalence of vaccine uptake in the community was as low as 30 percent and disinformation seems to be the main cause rather than reluctance.
Muhas Vice-Chancellor, Prof Andrea Pembe thanked Amne Salim’s family and friends for the exceptional and ground-breaking research support.
“We invite other local philanthropists to partner with us in supporting research activities within the country to address local needs,” he said, noting that local philanthropists are key stakeholders in bridging the funding gap.
Ms Amne Salim died at the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam on October 20, 2020.
The fund was unveiled a year later (October 2021) to support the country that was struggling with resource mobilisation to support research on Covid-19.
