African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine (Nov 2020)

Exploring the illness experiences amongst families living with 2019 coronavirus disease in Ghana: Three case reports

  • Nana K. Ayisi-Boateng,
  • Dora Egblewogbe,
  • Ruth Owusu-Antwi,
  • Akye Essuman,
  • Kathryn Spangenberg

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2682
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. e1 – e3

Abstract

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The 2019 corona virus disease (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc on countries, communities and households. Its effect on individuals and their families, although enormous, has not been adequately explored. We thus present a report on the illness experiences of three families in Ghana who had at least one member diagnosed with COVID-19. We interviewed them and recorded their commonest fears, such as death, stigmatisation and collapse of family business. Respondents had a fair idea about symptoms of COVID-19, mode of transmission and safety precautions. Family separation and loss of income were some of the adverse effects expressed. Majority of them were hopeful that family members with COVID-19 would recover and be reunited. The biopsychosocial impact of COVID-19 is tremendous and family physicians and other primary care workers have an essential role to play in addressing this.

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