The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic left countries to rapidly implement diverse and stringent public health measures without recourse to mitigate its effect on the sustenance of routine healthcare services. This study described routine health service disruption and restoration strategies at 6...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08074-3 |
| _version_ | 1811341364406779904 |
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| author | Obafemi J. Babalola Himiede W. Sesay Lily S. Blebo Faith K. Whesseh Chukwuma D. Umeokonkwo Peter A. Adewuyi Maame Amo-Addae |
| author_facet | Obafemi J. Babalola Himiede W. Sesay Lily S. Blebo Faith K. Whesseh Chukwuma D. Umeokonkwo Peter A. Adewuyi Maame Amo-Addae |
| author_sort | Obafemi J. Babalola |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic left countries to rapidly implement diverse and stringent public health measures without recourse to mitigate its effect on the sustenance of routine healthcare services. This study described routine health service disruption and restoration strategies at 6 months into the epidemic in Liberia. Methods Liberia, with 15 counties, has 839 health facilities, with one-third in Montserrado County. A cross-sectional study using a mixed approach - quantitative and qualitative research with concurrent triangulation was conducted using a structured guide for group discussions among key health workers at 42 secondary and most patronized health facilities in 14 counties and 7 Montserrado districts. Additionally, routine health data between January and June 2019 and 2020 were extracted from the source documents to the electronic checklist. We performed a descriptive analysis of quantitative data and plotted the line graph of the relative percentage change. Transcribed audio recording notes were synthesized using ATLAS ti for content analysis to identify the themes and subthemes in line with the study objectives and excerpts presented in the results. Results Liberia declared COVID-19 outbreak on March 16, 2020. From conducted interviews at 41 health facilities, 80% reported disruption in routine health services. From January to June 2020, scheduled routine immunization outreaches conducted decreased by 47%. Using a relative percentage change, outpatient attendance decreased by 32% in May, inpatient admission by 30% in April, malaria diagnosis and treatment by 40% in April, and routine antenatal obstetric care by 28% in April. The fear of contacting COVID-19 infection, redeployment of healthcare workers to COVID-19 response, restriction of movement due to lockdown, inadequate or lack of PPE for healthcare workers, lack of drugs and vaccine supplies for clients, and partial closure of routine healthcare services were common perceived reasons for disruptions. Massive community health education and strict compliance with COVID-19 nonpharmacological measures were some of the health facility recovery strategies. Conclusions The COVID-19 outbreak in Liberia caused a disruption in routine healthcare services, and strategies to redirect the restoration of routine healthcare services were implemented. During epidemics or global health emergencies, countries should sustain routine health services and plan for them. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:54:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-45b2d8cf5ac44012bd61c4df2c48bb1b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:54:29Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-45b2d8cf5ac44012bd61c4df2c48bb1b2022-12-22T02:34:18ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632022-05-0122111110.1186/s12913-022-08074-3The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approachObafemi J. Babalola0Himiede W. Sesay1Lily S. Blebo2Faith K. Whesseh3Chukwuma D. Umeokonkwo4Peter A. Adewuyi5Maame Amo-Addae6African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAfrican Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAfrican Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAfrican Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAfrican Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAfrican Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAfrican Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Liberia OfficeAbstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic left countries to rapidly implement diverse and stringent public health measures without recourse to mitigate its effect on the sustenance of routine healthcare services. This study described routine health service disruption and restoration strategies at 6 months into the epidemic in Liberia. Methods Liberia, with 15 counties, has 839 health facilities, with one-third in Montserrado County. A cross-sectional study using a mixed approach - quantitative and qualitative research with concurrent triangulation was conducted using a structured guide for group discussions among key health workers at 42 secondary and most patronized health facilities in 14 counties and 7 Montserrado districts. Additionally, routine health data between January and June 2019 and 2020 were extracted from the source documents to the electronic checklist. We performed a descriptive analysis of quantitative data and plotted the line graph of the relative percentage change. Transcribed audio recording notes were synthesized using ATLAS ti for content analysis to identify the themes and subthemes in line with the study objectives and excerpts presented in the results. Results Liberia declared COVID-19 outbreak on March 16, 2020. From conducted interviews at 41 health facilities, 80% reported disruption in routine health services. From January to June 2020, scheduled routine immunization outreaches conducted decreased by 47%. Using a relative percentage change, outpatient attendance decreased by 32% in May, inpatient admission by 30% in April, malaria diagnosis and treatment by 40% in April, and routine antenatal obstetric care by 28% in April. The fear of contacting COVID-19 infection, redeployment of healthcare workers to COVID-19 response, restriction of movement due to lockdown, inadequate or lack of PPE for healthcare workers, lack of drugs and vaccine supplies for clients, and partial closure of routine healthcare services were common perceived reasons for disruptions. Massive community health education and strict compliance with COVID-19 nonpharmacological measures were some of the health facility recovery strategies. Conclusions The COVID-19 outbreak in Liberia caused a disruption in routine healthcare services, and strategies to redirect the restoration of routine healthcare services were implemented. During epidemics or global health emergencies, countries should sustain routine health services and plan for them.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08074-3CoronavirusCOVID-19Delivery of health careImmunizationOutpatientQualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Obafemi J. Babalola Himiede W. Sesay Lily S. Blebo Faith K. Whesseh Chukwuma D. Umeokonkwo Peter A. Adewuyi Maame Amo-Addae The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach BMC Health Services Research Coronavirus COVID-19 Delivery of health care Immunization Outpatient Qualitative study |
| title | The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach |
| title_full | The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach |
| title_fullStr | The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach |
| title_short | The influence of first wave of COVID-19 outbreak on routine healthcare services, Liberia, August 2020: a mixed study approach |
| title_sort | influence of first wave of covid 19 outbreak on routine healthcare services liberia august 2020 a mixed study approach |
| topic | Coronavirus COVID-19 Delivery of health care Immunization Outpatient Qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08074-3 |
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