‘Life became harder with COVID-19’: An exploration of grief, intensified hardships, and silver linings of COVID-19 among youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Background In South Africa, pervasive age and gender inequities have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and public health response. We aimed to explore experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic among youth in eThekwini, South Africa. Methods Between December 2021-May 2022 we explored experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth aged 16–24 residing in eThekwini, South Africa using open-ended responses to an online survey focused on understanding multi-levelled health and social impacts of the pandemic. Thematic analysis summarized open-ended responses to the question “Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you in any other way you want to tell us about?”. Results Of 2,068 respondents, 256 (12.4%, median age = 22, 62.1% women or non-binary) completed the open-ended survey question (11% in isiZulu). Results were organized into three main themes encompassing 1) COVID-19-related overwhelming loss, fear, grief, and exacerbated mental and physical health concerns; 2) COVID-19-related intensified hardships, which contributed to financial, employment, food, educational, and relationship insecurities for individuals and households; and 3) positive impacts of the pandemic response, including the benefits of government policies and silver linings to government restrictions. South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions We found that South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma-aware interventions that provide economic and educational opportunities must be included in post-COVID recovery efforts.