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AIMS: During COVID-19 pandemic, health care resources are being diverted towards the acute crisis, de-emphasizing the routine medical care. It is not only less access of health care but people also avoiding health care facilities during this pandemic. Medical care delay or avoidance might increase morbidity and mortality of treatable and preventable health conditions. Literatures have reported the decline in patient footfall and the impact of it but there is limited information on the reasons why people saying 'No' to the health care facility. Hence, we aimed to conduct this mixed method study to explore the challenges faced by the community to access & utilize the health care services during this COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was performed on the data obtained from hospital registers and Web Based Health Management Information System, Followed by Key informant interview on Health service providers and Focussed group discussion among the community dwellers. OPD & IPD Footfall decreased signicantly in the Health F RESULTS: acilities of Purulia District during covid pandemic in comparison to pre-pandemic time. Lowest footfall in Manbazar RH observed during the initial lock-down in 2020 & at the time of the second wave in 2021. Main reasons for decreased footfall are fear of getting covid, dissatisfaction with health care service during the pandemic, lack of transport availability, stigma attached with covid, less occurrence of disease due to IPC practices, preference of local informal providers & self-medication. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining essential health services and behaviour change communication and de-stigmatization program is a need of hour. |
