The experiences of nurses who were involved in the COVID-19 Contact Tracing and Tracking activities in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the healthcare systems worldwide. For countries to contain the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading and to mitigate its impact, contact tracing was adopted as one of the COVID-19 response strategies. The objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of healthcare workers in COVID-19 contact tracing in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was utilised in this study. Data was collected telephonically using in-depth individual interviews between the 28th December 2020 and 25th February 2021. Twelve participants who had experience in contact tracing were purposively sampled and interviewed to get lived experiences. Analysis followed the seven steps by Colaizzi. Results: The study findings demonstrated that the participants experienced challenges as they implemented contact tracing activities. Four themes on contact tracing emerged: follow-up and contact-tracing activities; support systems; psychosocial implications; and witnessed patients’ experiences. Fourteen sub-themes were identified: negative perceptions of the re-assigned roles; unintended outcomes; delayed COVID-19 test results; increased workload; provision of personal protective equipment; training and orientation on COVID-19; meals for providers involved in contact tracing; we want to be heard and listened to; anxiety and fear; stress; emotionally challenging moments; unable to provide a service, witnessed discomfort and stigma and discrimination. Conclusions: Contact tracing is key in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy has proven to be complex, with increased workload, which is emotionally draining – hence the need for an effective support system for staff conducting contact-tracing activities.