Manyaapelo Thabang, Edwards Anita, Mpanza Nondumiso, Nxumalo Samukelisiwe, Nxumalo Zama, Gumede Ntombizonke, Ngwenya Nothando, Seeley Janet
Social Science, Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Institute for Global Health, University College London Medical School, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
Wellcome Open Res. 2024 Jun 19;7:168. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17841.4. eCollection 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the non-pharmacological prevention methods have affected the wellbeing of older people. In this paper we focus on the wellbeing, and vulnerability, of older people in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa during the first year of the pandemic.
We conducted monthly in-depth interviews for up to four months with 26 people aged 57 years and older. A total of 86 interviews were conducted by telephone, because of restrictions on face-to-face contact, and digitally recorded. After transcription and translation, the data were coded thematically, with analysis guided by a wellbeing theoretical framework.
Having access to food, to healthcare and to somewhere they felt safe to stay, was essential for everyone. For many managing expenses became more of a struggle as adult children who had lost their source of employment came home to stay. However, despite the shortages of money, the importance of relationships, whether they are familial or the close community of neighbours, was highlighted in the accounts of many participants. Older people not only got help with day-to-day life from others, but also found solace in the company of others. The sense of community, from family and neighbours, helped to ease some of the stress experienced because of the lockdowns.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus impacted the wellbeing of older adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Our findings show how the importance of relationships with family and friends contributed to nurturing wellbeing for older people.
新冠疫情及非药物预防措施影响了老年人的福祉。在本文中，我们聚焦于南非夸祖鲁 - 纳塔尔省北部农村地区老年人在疫情第一年的福祉及脆弱性。
我们对26名57岁及以上的老人进行了为期四个月的月度深度访谈。由于面对面接触受限，共通过电话进行了86次访谈，并进行了数字录音。转录和翻译后，数据按照主题进行编码，分析以福祉理论框架为指导。
对每个人来说，获得食物、医疗保健以及有个感到安全的居住场所至关重要。随着失去工作的成年子女回家居住，许多人在管理开支方面变得更加困难。然而，尽管资金短缺，但许多参与者的叙述中都强调了人际关系的重要性，无论是家庭关系还是亲密的邻里社区关系。老年人不仅从他人那里得到日常生活的帮助，还在他人的陪伴中找到慰藉。来自家人和邻居的社区感有助于缓解因封锁而产生的一些压力。
新冠疫情及为限制病毒传播而实施的限制措施影响了夸祖鲁 - 纳塔尔省农村地区老年人的福祉。我们的研究结果表明，与家人和朋友的关系对于老年人培育福祉的重要性。
