Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

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

TEDxUFS conference - the highlight of the university’s innovative calendar

2015-08-11

Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance with co-organisers of TEDxUFS Bonginkosi Leeuw and Lerothodi Molete after his inspirational talk at the event.
Photo: Curtis Nhlamulo Mashimbye

This year’s TEDxUFS speaker lineup persuaded the audience unanimously to question the nature of reality. The Albert Wessels Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus was packed with about 200 attendees on Saturday 1 August 2015.

Speakers shared a multiplicity of profound theories and inquisitions, challenging society in general to think out of the box. Melody Mentz, Gil Oved, Ricardo Peach, Pamela Nomvete, Pepe Marais, Mmusi Maimane, Brian Kally, Pieter Geldenhuys, Philippa Tumubweinee, Gareth Cliff, and Angelo Mockie took on to the stage to tackle multidisciplinary concepts as part of the broad ‘Ask Why’ theme.

Innovation mouthpieces share their worldview

Pieter Geldenhuys, the internationally-renowned futurist and Director of the Institute for Technology Strategy, and Innovation proposed that we change our mindsets by neglecting predictability. “We need to look at different models to understand the world around us,” he said. He challenged the linear and familiar ways humans make sense of the universe.

Speaking to the dire need for transformation, Philippa Tumubweinee suggested that university spaces merge with the communities they serve in terms of policies, social atmosphere, and physical structure. Tumubweinee is a senior Lecturer at the Department of Architecture at our university, and co-Founder and Director of Izuba In Africa architects.

“Only we can give permission to be intimidated; so don’t give in,” said Brian Kally, the CEO of Arrow Logistics (Pty) Ltd. Kally underscored the power of believing in our individual ideas.

Guidelines from TEDxUFS organisers

Bonginkosi Leeuw: “If you take your brainchild and implement it, and make it a reality, that’s when you can achieve great things, not before that.”

Lerothodi Molete: “You should ask questions; the moment you ask the question you will understand more.”

Real-time social media feedback

These are some of the comments audience members published on Twitter at the event:

IG: mispertanzy ?@MiesperTanzy Aug 1

A huge shout-out to @TEDxUFS for hosting such a great conference!The team has really made the event an unmissable one on the UFS calendar.

Celebrabitur? ?@HatsuMphatsoe Aug 1

Proximity that allows us to experience our broader society. Truly engaged by Philippa Tumbweinee's talk! @TEDxUFS

TEDxJohannesburg ?@TEDxJoburg Aug 1

A big shoutout to @TEDxUFS from for a fantastic event. Wish we were there.

RicardoPeach ?@ricardopeach Aug 1

Africa is rich with potential #TEDXUFS @MmusiMaimane Yes!

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept