The Impact of COVID-19 on Care Seeking Behavior of Patients at Tertiary Care Follow-up Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Aklilu Tamirat M , Abebe Workeabeba , Worku Alemayehu , Tadele Henock , Haile Tewodros , Shimelis Damte , Mekonen Desalew , Amogne Wondowossen , Moges Ayalew , Habtamu Abebe , Argaw Rahel , Yeshiwas Sewagegn , Adam Hyleyesus , Dimtse Asrat , Deressa Wakgari 
Published: November 2020

Background

COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is among the most obscure global pandemics resulting in diverse health and economic disruptions. It adversely affects the routine health care delivery and health service uptake by patients. However, its impact on care-seeking behaviour is largely unknown in Ethiopia.

Objective

This study was to determine the impact of the pandemic on care-seeking behaviour of patients with chronic health condition at Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospital in Addis Ababa.

Methods

A cross-sectional hospital-based survey conducted between May and July 2020 on patients whose appointment was between March to June 2020. Sample of 750 patients were approached using phone call and data collection was done using a pretested questionnaire. After cleaning, the data entered in to IBM SPSS software package for analysis.

Results

A total of 644 patients with a median age of 25 years, and M: F ratio of 1:1.01 was described with a response rate of 86%. A loss to follow up, missed medication and death occurred in 70%, 12%, and 1.3% of the patients respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients above 60 years old were more likely to miss follow-up (OR-23.28 (9.32-58.15), P<001). Patients who reported fear of COVID-19 at the hospital were 19 times more likely to miss follow-up (adjusted OR=19.32, 95% CI:10.73-34.79, P<0.001), while patients who reported transportation problems were 6.5 times more likely to miss follow-up (adjusted OR=6.11, 95% CI:3.06-12.17, P<0.001).

Conclusions

COVID-19 pandemic affected the care-seeking behaviour of patients with chronic medical condition adversely and the impact was more pronounced among patients with severe disease, fear of COVID19 and with transportation problems. Education on preventive measures of COVID-19, use of phone clinic and improving chronic illness services at the local health institutions may reduce loss to follow-up among these patients.

What is already known?

As a result of COVID-19, an essential maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services in Addis Ababa city showed that first antenatal attendance and under-five pneumonia treatment decreased by 12 and 35%.

A drop in client flow was ascribed to fear of acquiring COVID-19 at health facilities, limited access due to movement restrictions, and dedication of health facilities as COVID-19 treatment centers.

What are the new findings?

A cross-sectional hospital-based telephone survey indicated that a loss to follow up, missed medication and death occurred in 70%, 12%, and 1.3% of patients with chronic medical conditions respectively.

What do the new findings imply?

Fear of COVID-19 and transportation problems are the most commonly stated reasons thus, the finding implies that since health care services to patients with chronic medical conditions is concentrated in specialized referral hospitals mostly aggregated in big cities, patients who travel long distance to get the service are at high risk of Loss to follow up.

Strengthening the chronic care service at a local health institutions, and promoting COVD-19 preventive measures, may help decrease the LTFU and associated complications.