Women in Health and their Economic, Equity and Livelihood statuses during Emergency Preparedness and Response (WHEELER) protocol: a mixed methods study in Kenya
Robert Lorway,
Marleen Temmerman,
Lisa Avery,
Ferdinand Okwaro,
Evaline Chepchichir Langat,
Bilali Yusuf Mazoya,
Pauline Oginga,
Norah Matheka,
Irene Kibara,
Rhoda Otieno,
Michaela Mantel,
Elsabe du Plessis
Affiliations
Robert Lorway
Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Marleen Temmerman
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Lisa Avery
Institute for Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Ferdinand Okwaro
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Evaline Chepchichir Langat
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Bilali Yusuf Mazoya
Department of Health, County Government of Kilifi, Kilifi, Kenya
Pauline Oginga
Department of Health, County Government of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
Norah Matheka
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Irene Kibara
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Rhoda Otieno
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Michaela Mantel
Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, The Aga Khan University—Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Elsabe du Plessis
Institute for Centre for Global Public Health, University of Manitoba Faculty of Health Sciences, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Introduction Kenya reported its first COVID-19 case on 13 March 2020. Pandemic-driven health system changes followed and unforeseen societal, economic and health effects reported. This protocol aims to describe the methods used to identify the gender equality and health equity gaps and possible disproportional health and socioeconomic impacts experienced by paid and unpaid (community health volunteer) female healthcare providers in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties, Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods and analysis Participatory mixed methods framed by gender analysis and human-centred design will be used. Research implementation will follow four of the five phases of the human-centred design approach. Community research advisory groups and local advisory boards will be established to ensure integration and the sustainability of participatory research design.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee at the Aga Khan University and the University of Manitoba.This study will generate evidence on root cultural, structural, socioeconomic and political factors that perpetuate gender inequities and female disadvantage in the paid and unpaid health sectors. It will also identify evidence-based policy options for future safeguarding of the unpaid and paid female health workforce during emergency preparedness, response and recovery periods.