Homecare of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria: Current situation, challenges in implementation, and strategies for improvement
Introduction: Health facility-based management has been inadequate to control COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the current situation of home-based care (HBC) of COVID-19 positives in Nigeria and implementation challenges, and strategies for its improvement. Methods: The study utilized a desk...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
African Field Epidemiology Network
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/1/14/full/ |
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| Summary: | Introduction: Health facility-based management has been inadequate to control
COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the current situation of home-based care (HBC)
of COVID-19 positives in Nigeria and implementation challenges, and strategies for
its improvement. Methods: The study utilized a desk review and a qualitative data
collection technique (key informant interview) for a situation analysis of COVID-19
HBC in Nigeria on 27th November 2020; nine months after the index case of COVID19 was reported in Nigeria. The study population were the COVID19 positives
undergoing HBC. Epidemiologists, who had been deployed into the COVID-19
outbreak rapid response team, provided information on the study population. Six rapid
responders were included from States with the highest COVID-19 case reports from
each of the six geopolitical zones: Lagos, Gombe, Katsina, Delta, and Enugu States,
and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The desk review and key informant interview
informed on the comparative and normative needs, implementation challenges, and
strategies for improvement. Results: The average age of the respondents was
45.90±4.52 years, 4 (66.7%) were males, and the average period of engagement in the
COVID-19 outbreak response effort was 7.20±1.68 months. Lagos State has
commenced COVID-19 HBC with less than 25% of positives managed. Their
challenges include pre-care house visits. Enugu State has commenced COVID-19
HBC, with <25% of positives managed. Their challenges include inadequate personnel
and poor surveillance. Delta State has commenced COVID-19 HBC with more than
50% of positives managed. Their challenges include inadequate information on
contacts of COVID-19 positives. Gombe State has formally commenced COVID-19
HBC with less than 25% of positives managed. Their challenge is non-adherence to
restriction guidelines. Katsina State has not formally commenced COVID-19 HBC,
and over 50% of COVID-19 positives have been managed at home. Lack of COVID19 HBC documented policy and workforce are major gaps. The FCT has not formally
commenced HBC, though more than 50% of COVID-19 positives have been managed
at home. Their challenge is inadequate resources. Conclusion: HBC for the
management of COVID-19 positives presents a promising strategy for the efficient
management of COVID-19 cases in their homes without the associated overwhelming
of the health system, thus support towards COVID-19 HBC in Nigeria should be
promoted.
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| ISSN: | 2664-2824 |