SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19 IN DENSELY POPULATED COMPOUNDS (KOMBONI) IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Abstract

The Coronavirus 19 (CoviD-19^[1]) pandemic has ravaged countries and disrupted the social-economic stability of communities leaving people in desperate need of essential commodities. Its effects are generally implicitly well known by many. Yet, the reality in densely populated areas such as compounds, is underestimated. The year 2020 marked a pivotal point in human history due to this global pandemic that, among other things, forced unprecedented upheaval to human lives, individual careers, economic activities, education and health systems. This research set out to explore the social-economic implications of the CoviD-19 pandemic in densely populated compounds in Lusaka. This was done with an intention to explore the impact on the human lives of those already struggling under the strain of poverty and expose how they are currently coping. As an exploratory design, the research seeks to use a case study approach of 4 compounds in Lusaka District. The intention is to use focus group interviews, complete observations and fixed questions to collect rich data in situ that is intended to demonstrate the multi-layered effects affecting settlers in densely populated compounds. This research analysed the collected data through the use of thematic analysis.

Key Words: CoviD-19, Pandemic, Masks, Densely populated compound, Social Distancing, Settlers

DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/73-05

Publication date: April 30^th 2024

[1]COVID-19 will be used interchangeably with Coronavirus