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.

Autor:	Ogunmodede JA; Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Bolarinwa OA; Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Ogunmodede AJ; Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Bojuwoye MO; Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Bello AH; Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Dele-Ojo BF; Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria., Yusuf IA; Department of Medicine, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nassarawa State, Nigeria., Abiola TS; Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Olokoba AB; Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria., Kolo PM; Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	West African journal of medicine [West Afr J Med] 2022 Apr 29; Vol. 39 (4), pp. 355-361.
Abstrakt:	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. Competing Interests: The Authors declare that no competing interest exists. (Copyright © 2022 by West African Journal of Medicine.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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