The Indirect victims of COVID-19: perception of non- COVID-19 patients about the effect of closure of the medical outpatient services on their health.
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
West African College Of Physicians
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In order to reduce COVID-19 transmission and
protect healthcare workers, the outpatient departments (OPDs) in
many hospitals worldwide were closed down in the early days of the
pandemic. Patients being managed for chronic medical illnesses who
subsequently suffered reduced access to healthcare have been
described as “the patients left behind”.
AIM: The study aimed at assessing the impact of the closure of the
Medical OPD in University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) on
the health and perceived well-being of patients with chronic medical
illnesses.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 180 patients with chronic
medical illnesses attending the MOPD in UITH.
RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 50.2±18.2years, 92
(51.1%) were male, median duration of attending MOPD was 21
months (IQR 12-36). 92 patients (51.1%) perceived a negative
affectation of their well-being by the closure of MOPD. Being >50
years was associated with a perception of negative affectation of
well-being (P=0.042). 140 patients (77.8%) had clinic appointments
that fell within the period under review. 67(69.3%) of the 97 patients
who had medical complaints during the period could not reach a
doctor and this was associated with a perception of negative affectation
of their wellbeing. The commonest action they took was to do nothing
(28.3%), three (4.5%) resorted to herbal concoctions. 19 (29.9%) felt
their complaints were urgent.
CONCLUSION: Our study identifies that patients with chronic
medical illness are potential victims of COVID-19 related disruption
of healthcare services. Healthcare managers in Nigeria must develop
alternatives such as telemedicine that sustain face-to-face medical
interaction during eventualities.
Description
Keywords
COVID-19 disease, Chronic medical illnesses, COVID-19 related closure of Medical outpatient services, perceptio
Citation
West African Journal of Medicine 39(4):241-247