Work

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community health workers from HIV care organizations in the mid-south

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic brought a fundamental shift in the delivery of services by community health workers to people living with HIV. This qualitative study sought to understand how community health workers who work with people living with HIV in one Mid-South community were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and ways in which these changes affected them. Virtual qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 community health workers and supervisors across five organizations from April to July 2020. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The five themes discovered were (a) virtual service delivery’s impact on the community health worker-client relationship, (b) the use of technology to communicate with clients, (c) increased work responsibilities, (d) the need for support and self-care; and (e) the extra layer of trauma that the murder of George Floyd added. Recommendations for supporting and strengthening the community health workforce are offered.

Source: Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services

DOI: 10.1080/15381501.2023.2258821

Authors: Robin Lennon-Dearing, Kendall Morris, Melissa Hirschi, Serena Rajabiun

Institutions: University of Memphis, Michigan State University, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Memphis, National Institutes of Health, Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases