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UFS research projects look at the social impact of COVID-19

27 September 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Supplied

Article photo copy — From the left; Prof Michelle Engelbrecht (center), Director of the CHSR&D at the UFS, together with colleagues Dr Gladys Kigozi (right) and Prof Christo Heunis, is conducting various social sciences-orientated research projects on health and health systems.

The Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CHSR&D) in the Faculty of the Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS) has been at the forefront of research on the societal and human impact of COVID-19. The CHSR&D has investigated the effects of the pandemic on, among others, post-traumatic stress and the coping strategies of nurses, and is currently undertaking a research project looking at vaccine literacy and acceptability in South Africa through an online survey, which has already attracted more than 9 500 respondents.

Prof Michelle Engelbrecht

, Director of the CHSR&D, says it is important not to lose sight of the impact that the pandemic has had on society and individuals. “It has affected all aspects of life, caused economic disruptions, and posed immense challenges to both public and private healthcare, food systems, education, and employment,” she says. For the CHSR&D researchers, it is important to understand the health and socio-economic impacts in order to inform interventions and policy.

Established in 1993, the CHSR&D stems from a rich tradition of research and training in medical sociology and sociology of health. As a centre, they generate and disseminate research findings and information on health and health systems to promote transformation in policy and practice in the South African healthcare system.

A study on the impact of the pandemic on nurses

In early 2021, the CHSR&D completed a project on the post-traumatic stress and coping strategies of South African nurses during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was one the first to examine how the pandemic influenced the post-traumatic stress and coping strategies of nurses in the country. It was found that 44% of nurses were experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was comparatively higher than their counterparts in other countries. Furthermore, a lack of preparedness to manage COVID-19 patients, poorer health, and avoidance coping mechanisms were associated with increased PTSD in nurses. Nurses voiced a need for emotional support and empathy from their managers.

Some of the intervention strategies recommended by the nurses included emotional, psychological, and debriefing sessions focusing on positive coping strategies to address stress effectively; positive and open communication between managers and their subordinates; psychological support through the Employee Assistance Programme and occupational health units; and an uninterrupted supply of quality personal protective equipment. The findings of this project were shared with the Free State Department of Health (FSDoH).

Ongoing research projects

As of 1 September 2021, the CHSR&D commenced with a national online survey on COVID-19 vaccine literacy and acceptability. While there are a number of studies looking at the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, Dr Gladys Kigozi notes that “this study is novel, as there is a lack of information about vaccine literacy, which may be defined as the degree to which people have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health decisions.”. The anonymous online survey is available through social media and the Moya messaging application.

The CHSR&D, together with a team from the FSDoH and the World Health Organisation, are also collaborating on a project looking at the impact of COVID-19 on essential health services, mortality in hospital-admitted patients, and outcomes in patients with a history of tuberculosis. According to Prof Christo Heunis, “The COVID-19 pandemic has become infamous for crippling healthcare systems. Resources and staff are being diverted to test and provide treatment for people with presumed or diagnosed COVID-19, and thus some other healthcare services are being compromised to meet the demands of caring for COVID-19 patients.” It is thus imperative to measure the impact of the pandemic on essential health services and treatment outcomes.

Interdisciplinary research project focusing on the health and well-being of vulnerable families

The CHSR&D, together with the UFS Department of Social Work, the School of Nursing, and the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC), will commence with a study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of vulnerable families in the Mangaung Metropolitan area. This project is funded by a UFS interdisciplinary grant. While the study is limited to the Mangaung Metropolitan area, it has the potential to inform health and social policy in other metropolitan areas in South Africa – particularly with regard to preparedness and management of pandemics such as COVID-19.

News Archive

UFS launches unique project to honour great teachers

2011-04-21

Dedicated, hard-working, inspiring and motivational ...

These are the kind of teachers the University of the Free State (UFS) is looking to honour in their Great Teachers Project.

When one is confronted by most images of teachers in the mainstream media, these are rarely the words that come to mind, though. However, for many young men and women these are exactly the traits which they saw in their teachers, and which inspired them to become South Africa’s next generation of poets, painters, architects, mathematicians, drummers, pilots, lawyers, philosophers, doctors, accountants, community developers and more.

One rarely hears about the truly great teachers from our past and present who are the driving force behind the successes of many of our greatest achievers. The teachers who go the extra mile to convey the intricate beauties within their subjects, lead an exemplary life and produced the activists, critical thinkers and leaders we all cherish.

Therefore, the UFS and the Sunday Times have joined hands in identifying 150 of the greatest teachers, who moved, inspired and transformed South Africans during their time at school. These are the teachers who stood out among their colleagues and made a lasting impact on their learners, inspiring them to excel, long after the mathematical equations and English literature tests are forgotten.

The stories will be collected and assembled on a central database and categorised, edited and represented into a coherent array of powerful accounts of inspired and inspiring teachers.

A book entitled Great Teachers will be published in December 2011, detailing the stories of these great individuals. The introduction to the book will present the plan and process that led the storied collection.

Those who are interested are invited to submit a 500 to 750 word essay on any teacher who made an impact in their life and submit it to greatteachers@ufs.ac.za before 30 May 2011.

All proceeds from the sales of the book will be used to provide bursaries to student teachers of today, who may become the great teachers for tomorrow’s generation.

Media Release
21 April 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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