Market Women’s Perspectives on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The Case of Ghana and South Africa

Globally, countries are still battling health challenges and the negative economic stress on the citizenry caused by COVID-19. This study explored the perspectives of market women in Ghana and South Africa on COVID-19. Data collection was executed in both Ghana and South Africa between March 2021 an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-08, Vol.19 (15), p.9658
Main Authors: Frimpong, Ebenezer Kwabena, Yamoah, Peter, Wiafe, Ebenezer, Demana, Patrick Hulisani, Matlala, Moliehi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Committees
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Data collection
Economic development
Ethics
Garlic
Informal economy
Interviews
Medical research
Pandemics
Population
Public health
Questionnaires
Sample size
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Signs and symptoms
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Summary:Globally, countries are still battling health challenges and the negative economic stress on the citizenry caused by COVID-19. This study explored the perspectives of market women in Ghana and South Africa on COVID-19. Data collection was executed in both Ghana and South Africa between March 2021 and December 2021. Employing semi-structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews were conducted. Most of the market women in Ghana described COVID-19 as a global pandemic, while market women in South Africa described the disease as the deadly flu. There were similarities in the perceived signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Market women in both countries specifically observed that not adhering to the safety protocols was the major mode of transmission. Lemon, garlic and ginger were the most common foodstuffs used by the market women to fight COVID-19. To prevent COVID-19 at their places of work, market women stressed the importance of observing the safety protocols. An overwhelming majority of market women in both countries bemoaned the negative impact of COVID-19 on their businesses and suggested the need for financial assistance from their respective governments. The findings are intended to assist policymakers in both Ghana and South Africa to implement interventional projects to assist women whom the literature suggests are the most vulnerable during pandemics such as COVID-19.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph19159658