Lived experience of nurses working in healthcare clinics that are experiencing water scarcity, in Maluti-A-Phofung district, Free State Province, South Africa

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Nursing has faced numerous challenges, but water scarcity was not one of them. Water scarcity has become a global public health issue. Water shortages in South Africa negatively impact nursing and patient care. Additionally, nurses are experiencing the effects of it firsthand. This study aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of nurses working in healthcare clinics that are experiencing water scarcity in the Maluti-A-Phofung municipality, Free State Province. METHODS : Participatory Action Research (PAR) was employed, including 14 nurses from ten clinics. Nurses were selected from clinics in Maluti-A-Phofung District Municipality, Free State, South Africa, using purposive sampling. All nurses had in-depth face-to-face interviews conducted. After transcribing and inductively analysing audio recordings, four themes emerged. FINDINGS : Themes emerged: 1) Compromised hygiene practices, 2) Disease outbreaks, 3) Patient denied access to care, 4) Compromised nurses and patient's safety and dignity. RECOMMENDATIONS : This study found that nurses in clinics with water scarcity are confronted with hygiene challenges, infringements of human rights, and psychological distress due to a lack of managerial support and municipality services. This study also suggests more research on the development of strategies to inform infection prevention and control policy for nurses in water-scarce healthcare facilities to improve patient care and hygiene practices in the facilities experiencing water-scarcity.