Browsing by Author "Muleledhu, Andrew"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item The Gendered Socioeconomic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women with Fistula Repair in Uganda(Adv Glob Health, 2023-05-09) Mekaleya, Tilahun; Mariko, Costantini; Nalubwama, Hadija; Barageine, Justus K.; Nalubega, Florence; Muleledhu, Andrew; El Ayadi, Alison M.Public health mitigation strategies for SARS-COV-2 are effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19; however, these restrictions can create gendered socioeconomic impacts and further isolate marginalized communities from essential resources. Our qualitative study aimed to understand the gendered effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on a population of women in Uganda with a history of prior obstetric fistula repair, a group experiencing greater vulnerability and less support due to intersecting stigmatized identities. We conducted in-depth interviews among 30 women with prior genital fistula and corrective fistula repair surgery at 3 hospitals in Southern Uganda. We found that COVID-19 lockdown measures caused both financial and health-related impacts in this community such as inaccessibility of healthcare and loss of income. Understanding these experiences should inform strategies to ensure equitable, future pandemic responses.