View largeDownload slide

View largeDownload slide

Close modal

Frequent hand washing has been recommended by public health officials as one of the key preventive measures to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Yet globally, 844 million people live without access to a safe drinking water source. This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, its associated public health response measures and government social support on water access in informal settlements in Ghana using qualitative studies. Thirty (30) participants were interviewed in Accra and Tamale. Data were transcribed and inductively analyzed using NVivo. Overall, participants indicate that COVID-19 exacerbated their water insecurity issues in many ways including (1) limiting water source visits for fear of contracting the virus; (2) through public health restrictions that affected their ability to access water outside their households; and (3) increased cost of vended water. Most participants also highlighted that they did not benefit from the ‘6 months of free water initiative’ by the government of Ghana. As countries formulate plans to rebuild their economies, the inequalities underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic should offer renewed attention to the significance of safe water access for all, particularly concerning public and population health.

查看大图下载幻灯片

查看大图下载幻灯片

关闭模式

公共卫生官员建议经常洗手作为减少 COVID-19 传播的关键预防措施之一。然而，全球仍有 8.44 亿人无法获得安全饮用水源。本研究利用定性研究探讨了 COVID-19 大流行、相关公共卫生应对措施和政府社会支持对加纳非正规住区供水的影响。三十 (30) 名参与者在阿克拉和塔马利接受了采访。使用 NVivo 转录数据并进行归纳分析。全面的，参与者表示，COVID-19 在许多方面加剧了他们的水不安全问题，包括（1）因担心感染病毒而限制访问水源；(2) 公共卫生限制影响了他们在家庭以外获取水的能力；(3)售水成本增加。大多数参与者还强调，他们没有从加纳政府的“6 个月免费用水倡议”中受益。随着各国制定重建经济的计划，新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 大流行所凸显的不平等现象应引起人们对所有人获得安全用水的重要性的重新关注，特别是在公共和人口健康方面。大多数参与者还强调，他们没有从加纳政府的“6 个月免费用水倡议”中受益。随着各国制定重建经济的计划，新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 大流行所凸显的不平等现象应引起人们对所有人获得安全用水的重要性的重新关注，特别是在公共和人口健康方面。大多数参与者还强调，他们没有从加纳政府的“6 个月免费用水倡议”中受益。随着各国制定重建经济的计划，新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 大流行所凸显的不平等现象应引起人们对所有人获得安全用水的重要性的重新关注，特别是在公共和人口健康方面。