Coping with extreme heat in primary maternity care: An ethnography of frontline health workers in rural Zimbabwe

SSM - Qualitative Research in Health 2026 Open access

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Authors: Fortunate Machingura, Tariro Chinozvina, Stanley M. F. Luchters, Brian Sibanda, Calvin Kunaka, Leslie Nyoni, Bongani Mutimutema, Elizabeth Dangaiso, Thabani Muronzie, Jetina Tsvaki, Concilia Mutasa, Madonna Mlambo
+10 more Samson Chikura, Progress Chiworeka, Llyod Pisa, Tatenda Makanga, George Mapiye, Cremance Tshuma, Isabelle L. Lange, Nasser Fardousi, Matthew Chersich, Veronique Filippi
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2026.100718
Cited by: 1
References: 34

Abstract

Highlights: •Health workers deliver maternity care in conditions of extreme, escalating heat. •First empirical qualitative study in Africa to examine how staff navigate extreme heat in maternity wards. •First qualitative ethnography globally to apply Adaptive Thermal Comfort Theory to clinical labour. •Heat adaptation emerges as a collective, resource-dependent, institutional and material process. •Protecting frontline staff from extreme heat is essential for climate-resilient health systems.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Climate Change and Health Impacts Global Maternal and Child Health African studies and sociopolitical issues

Publication details

Journal / source
SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
9
Pages
100718–100718
Publication date
12 February 2026
Language
EN