Locked Down: Economic and Health Effects of COVID-19 Response on Residents of a South African Township

This study investigated how COVID-19 and lockdown policies affected residents of Alexandra, one of Johannesburg, South Africa ’s lowest-income townships.MethodsWe conducted a telephone survey May 11 –22, 2020, while the lockdown and alcohol ban were in effect, of a spatially stratified sample of 353 adult Alexandra residents drawn randomly from voter registration, credit card application, and prior studies’ sampling frames. We examined economic consequences; health experiences, including CO VID-19 exposure and mental health symptoms; alcohol use; and personal experiences with violence.ResultsRespondents were aged 18 to 89 and 47% female. About 70% of those employed before the lockdown were no longer working. Over half of households lost at least one source of income. About 50% of respondents reported stockpiling food. A majority reported price rises and declines in availability of food. Smaller percentages reported such changes for other items. Over 80% reported stress or anxiety, or depression due to the pandemic. The prevalence of past-week alcohol use fell from over 50% before the lockdown to less than 10% during the lockdown. Self-reported physical violence victimization increased.DiscussionCOVID-19 and the lockdown disrupted Alexandra residents ’ lives through unemployment, lost income, mental health problems, and increased violence. The differences between these outcomes and those in more advantaged communities deserve investigation. Research should also seek to...
Source: Global Social Welfare - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research