The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the health and well-being of women living in informal settlements in Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Uganda, with the first case reported in March 2020, resulting in extensive public health restrictions, including a lockdown, curfew, and closure of schools and workplaces. Urban residents, particularly those living in poverty in informal settlements, faced heightened challenges due to inadequate access to basic services, financial hardships, and increased caregiving responsibilities, especially for women. Women experienced heightened risks of gender-based violence and engaged in transactional sex as coping mechanisms. This study explored the strategies used by women in Kampala and Mbale cities to meet basic needs during the pandemic and their implications for HIV infection vulnerability.

Methods: Researchers conducted focus group discussions with 209 women from various age groups in Kampala and Mbale's largest informal settlements, gathering insights into their pandemic experiences. These discussions, held in local languages, explored women's social, family, and financial challenges, as well as their perceptions of HIV risks. Transcripts were translated by local language experts before analysis. The team analyzed the transcripts using NVivo version 14 software, identifying patterns and themes that revealed survival strategies employed by women.

Results: The study identified three interconnected themes that capture the complex strategies and challenges faced by women in informal settlements in Kampala and Mbale during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women struggled to cope with financial hardships and increased caregiving responsibilities, often resorting to measures like transactional sex to survive. The pandemic exacerbated vulnerabilities, heightening risks of HIV transmission and mental health challenges While support networks provided some relief, they often fell short of meeting the diverse needs of women in these communities.

Conclusions: The study shows that women in Uganda's informal settlements demonstrated resilience by taking on new roles and engaging in trading, but their reliance on transactional sex revealed power imbalances, increasing their vulnerability to gender-based violence, unintended pregnancies, and HIV infection. This highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the complex challenges women face in crisis situations, which could enhance their resilience and alleviate their multiple struggles, with valuable lessons for similar contexts in low- and middle-income countries.