Abstract

Background

The incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 continues to escalate globally, with the consequence to quality of life, the economies of nations and various sectors of society. While there is substantial research on the impact and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, little remains known about the perceptions and lived experiences of families living with people diagnosed with COVID-19, particularly within the South African context.

Purpose

To explore the perceptions and lived experiences of family members  living with people diagnosed with COVID-19 in South Africa.

Methods

A descriptive phenomenological design was used. Data were collected from 15 participants who were family members of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in South Africa. Purposive snowball sampling was used to identify and recruit participants, and data were collected at community level in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng, South Africa. Individual in-depth interviews were used to collect the data, and an audio tape was used to record all interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a phenomenological data analysis processes. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Ethics Committee—reference number: BREC00003228/2021.

Results

Four super-ordinate themes emerged in relation to the perceptions and lived experiences of family members  living with people diagnosed with COVID-19 in South Africa. The superordinate themes were: (1) sources of information about COVID-19, (2) pandemic  perceptions and experiences, (3) impact of diagnosis and related burden and (4) aftermath of living with a family member diagnosed with COVID-19.

Discussion and conclusion

Family members’ perceptions and lived experiences of COVID-19 are largely influenced by media, moreover, the impact of diagnosis has consequences for the physical, mental and emotional well-being of family members. Diagnosis disrupts family dynamics by depleting financial resources due to  the caregiver burden experienced. The findings thus imply that provision of psychosocial support is imperative for families living with persons diagnosed with COVID-19.

Details

Title
Exploring the perceptions and lived experiences of family members living with people diagnosed with COVID-19 in South Africa: a descriptive phenomenological study
Author
Nxumalo, Celenkosini Thembelenkosini 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Tokwe, Lwandile 2 ; Silingene Joyce Ngcobo 3 ; Gam, Nkululeko Phalson 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Mchunu, Gugu Gladness 5 ; Makhado, Lufuno 6 

1  Academic Development Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Ritson Campus, Durban, South Africa; Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa 
2  School of Nursing, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa 
3  Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa 
4  Centre for quality Promotion and Assurance, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa 
5  Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Ritson Campus, Durban, South Africa 
6  Executive Dean, School of Public Health, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa 
Publication year
2023
Publication date
Dec 2023
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
ISSN
17482623
e-ISSN
17482631
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2247622
ProQuest document ID
2894620571
Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.