Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Implementation of the Ward-based Outreach Team Program in Gauteng Province

Background: The epidemic Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has led to changes in healthcare delivery systems globally, affecting the Ward-based Outreach Team (WBOT) program. Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the implementation of the ward-based outreach team program by Community Health Workers (CHWs). Methods: A qualitative design was adopted to conduct In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with CHWs implementing the WBOT program in the northern subdistrict of Ekurhuleni. A purpose-oriented sampling technique was used to select participants for IDIs. Results: The study included nine health facilities linked to 47 wards. The findings of the study revealed four main themes: fear and denied access during COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on CHW's role, psychological impact, and perceived socioeconomic impact as a result of COVID-19. The results of this study showed the perception of CHWs of the displaced community during the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of the lockdown on their role. Conclusion: The results of this qualitative study showed the impact of the outbreak on the role of CHWs, the fear of COVID-19 in the communities, stress and fear of the disease, and the perception of CHWs of the displaced community by the disease. Despite the challenges posed by the outbreak, the ward-based outreach program has continued to play a vital role in delivering essential healthcare services to communities. These findings can be used as an input for decision-making when developing strategies to optimize CHWs implementation.