The changing dynamics of community care and support in rural Malawi: The impact on Women's health and wellbeing at end of life

Maren M. Hawkins, Anne Dressel, Nancy Kendall, Claire Wendland, Stephen Hawkins, Kimberly Walker, Elizabeth Mkandawire, Jackline Kirungi, Peninnah Kako and Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu

Social Science & Medicine, 2022, vol. 301, issue C

Abstract: In this critical ethnographic study, we examined women's end of life experiences in Malawi, one of the few countries in the world with a national palliative care policy. Specifically, we explored how women's and their caregivers' experiences were shaped by family and community care, and material needs. Interviews and observations with female clients of a non-governmental organization in rural Central Malawi, and with their caregivers, revealed that community-level support was both precarious and critical. We found three main themes: (1) I stay with them well, (2) we eat together, and (3) everyone is for themselves. The analysis illustrates the centrality of community care, social in/exclusion, and availability of stable food, shelter, medical, and caregiving resources on health and wellbeing at end of life. We provide recommendations to strengthen community care opportunities and women's resource bases.

Keywords: Malawi; Palliative care; End of life care; Community care; Qualitative research; Critical ethnography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:socmed:v:301:y:2022:i:c:s0277953622002404

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DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114934

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