‘COVID-19 Evokes Positive and Negative Memories’: The Experiences of Children in Ghana: A Qualitative Inquiry

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-05-28 DOI:10.1111/cch.70104

Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, Zita Kyei-Gyamfi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered everyday life for children globally, particularly in regions with high infection rates. In Ghana, limited research has documented the lived experiences of children during this public health crisis, especially in hotspot areas like Accra and Tema.

Objectives

The aim was to highlight children's experiences of the pandemic as they recount their positive and negative moments.

Methods

A qualitative research design was utilised for this study. In-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 59 children aged 8 to 17 years from Accra and Tema, two of Ghana's COVID-19 hotspots. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed to identify key patterns and insights.

Results

Children reported mixed experiences during the pandemic. On the positive side, many appreciated spending more time with parents and siblings, which helped strengthen family bonds. However, they also faced challenges such as food insecurity, overcrowding in their homes, the loss of family members to COVID-19, and instances of domestic abuse, as highlighted in the findings.

Conclusions

Strong family support and psychosocial interventions are recommended to reduce the likelihood of children experiencing harsh punishment. The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection should take the lead on this initiative, with support from other government agencies and non-governmental organisations.

查看原文本刊更多论文

“COVID-19唤起积极和消极的记忆”：加纳儿童的经历：一项定性调查

2019冠状病毒病大流行显著改变了全球儿童的日常生活，特别是在高感染率地区。在加纳，有限的研究记录了这场公共卫生危机期间儿童的生活经历，特别是在阿克拉和特马等热点地区。目的是强调儿童在叙述其积极和消极时刻时的大流行经历。方法采用定性研究设计。对来自加纳两个COVID-19高发地区阿克拉和特马的59名8至17岁儿童进行了深度电话采访。这些访谈被记录下来并进行主题分析，以确定关键模式和见解。结果大流行期间，儿童报告了不同的经历。从积极的方面来看，许多人喜欢花更多的时间与父母和兄弟姐妹在一起，这有助于加强家庭纽带。然而，正如调查结果所强调的那样，他们也面临着粮食不安全、家中过度拥挤、家庭成员死于COVID-19以及家庭暴力等挑战。结论强有力的家庭支持和社会心理干预可以降低儿童遭受严厉惩罚的可能性。性别、儿童和社会保障部应在其他政府机构和非政府组织的支持下带头开展这项工作。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.