The Roles of Community Health Nurses’ in Covid-19 Management in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: The majority of Covid-19 cases occur at the community level requiring health services to be available at the primary health care level, which also includes Community Health Nursing (CHN) services. It is important to understand various perspectives of the parties involved, effective solutions, and strategies used by nurses in managing Covid-19 in order to be able to provide these services. The purpose of this study was to explore the community health nurses’ (CHNs) roles in the Covid-19 management in Indonesia. METHODS: A qualitative method was used to explore the perspective from nurses and health cadres as participants. Data were collected through in-depth phone interviews with 11 participants from December 2020 to February 2021 in Bandung. Data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five themes were extracted in this study, namely providing comprehensive services by CHNs; utilizing technology to bridge the information needs; implementing family nursing care; spreading the wings of health cadres by CHNs; and collaborating as the heart of Covid-19 prevention and management. CONCLUSION: CHNs should employ health education, empowerment strategies, group processes, and advocacy in adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. The five themes identified in this study can be used by policy makers to develop strategies in optimizing the CHN in Covid-19 pandemic management and the possible challenges of future global pandemics.