PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Gendered health, economic, social and safety impact of COVID-19 on adolescents and young adults in Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Michele R Decker,
  • Shannon N Wood,
  • Mary Thiongo,
  • Meagan E Byrne,
  • Bianca Devoto,
  • Rosemary Morgan,
  • Kristin Bevilacqua,
  • Anaise Williams,
  • H Colleen Stuart,
  • Grace Wamue-Ngare,
  • Lori Heise,
  • Nancy Glass,
  • Philip Anglewicz,
  • Elizabeth Gummerson,
  • Peter Gichangi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259583
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 11
p. e0259583

Abstract

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BackgroundInfectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and their mitigation measures can exacerbate underlying gender disparities, particularly among adolescents and young adults in densely populated urban settings.MethodsAn existing cohort of youth ages 16-26 in Nairobi, Kenya completed a phone-based survey in August-October 2020 (n = 1217), supplemented by virtual focus group discussions and interviews with youth and stakeholders, to examine economic, health, social, and safety experiences during COVID-19, and gender disparities therein.ResultsCOVID-19 risk perception was high with a gender differential favoring young women (95.5% vs. 84.2%; pImplicationsYouth and young adults face gendered impacts of COVID-19, reflecting both underlying disparities and the pandemic's economic and social shock. Economic, health and technology-based supports must ensure equitable access for young women. Gender-responsive recovery efforts are necessary and must address the unique needs of youth.