Exploring the challenges of women taking antiretroviral treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in peri‐urban Harare, Zimbabwe

OBJECTIVE: To explore the challenges of women taking antiretroviral treatment (ART) during the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown in a peri‐urban area. METHODS: An exploratory qualitative study approach was used. Semi‐structured questions were devised and used to elicit data on the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdown on women accessing treatment for HIV. Twenty women were interviewed through contacts from community and faith organizations in peri‐urban Harare. All interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo to make analysis easy. The data were thematically analyzed, underpinned by the four phases of data analysis in the Silences Framework. RESULTS: The study discovered that transport problems, confusing COVID‐19 restrictions, abuse by police and soldiers at roadblocks, a shortage of medication, lack of health check‐up routines, involuntary default of ART, and a shortage of personal protective equipment affected HIV‐positive women accessing ART during the COVID‐19 lockdown. CONCLUSION: People living with HIV need a robust supporting environment and a functioning health system. In response to COVID‐19 all services were halted to prevent the spread of COVID‐19. Pandemic preparedness is important in keeping an adequate supply of ART and responding to the needs of individuals on HIV treatment.