Study title: Impact of Covid-19 in healthcare workers and health care systems in Zimbabwe

Lead Researcher(s)

Katharina Kranzer

Funder(s)

Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, Welcome Trust, Canadian Embassy, ELMA, UK Research and Innovation, UKAID, ZINCAT

Partner(s)

Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare City Health, Counselling Services Unit

Background

Frontline healthcare workers are essential for a functioning healthcare system, and their own health is often not addressed. During COVID-19 pandemic healthcare workers were at disproportionately high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection globally while equally at risk of other communicable and non-communicable diseases just like the general population. This motivated the development, implementation, and adaptation of an integrated health check combining SARS-CoV-2 testing with screening for other communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Study aim(s)

To establish a model for screening and referral for common communicable and non-communicable diseases for front-line healthcare workers

Study design

The ICAROZ study is a cross-sectional, mixed method study through which an integrated health check for frontline healthcare workers was implemented in health facilities including tertiary-level hospitals, provincial and district hospitals, primary health clinics (in Harare), private and mission hospitals, in Zimbabwe. The health check included screening for SARS-CoV-2, tuberculosis, HIV, obesity, anemia, common mental health disorder, diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and vision impairment. A total of 6598 health workers across 48 health facilities accessed the service.

Study dates

July 2020 -July 2022