scholarly journals Persistent Symptoms Among Frontline Health Workers Post-acute COVID-19 Infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
CN Wose Kinge ◽  
S Hanekom ◽  
A-L Smith ◽  
F Akpan ◽  
E Mothibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Comorbid Condition ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundGrowing evidence shows that a significant number of patients with COVID-19 experience prolonged/persistent symptoms, also known as Long COVID. Reports of Long COVID are rising but little is known about prevalence in non-hospitalized patients.ObjectiveWe sought to identify the persistent symptoms of COVID-19 in frontline workers at Right to Care (RTC) South Africa who have past the acute phase of illness with a view to establishing rehabilitation programs for its employees and the community at large.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional survey. We analysed data from 207 eligible COVID-19 positive RTC frontline workers who participated in a post-COVID online self-administered survey. The survey was active for two months. Frequencies and median were calculated for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.ResultsThe survey response rate was 30% (62 out of 207); of the 62 respondents with a median age of 33.5 years (IQR= 30–44 years), 47 (76%) were females. The majority (n=55; 88.7%) self-isolated and 7 (11.3%) were admitted to hospital at time of diagnosis. The most common comorbid condition reported was hypertension particularly among workers aged 45–55 years. Headache, body ache, fatigue, loss of smell, dry cough, fever, and loss of appetite were the most common reported symptoms at time of diagnosis. Persistent symptoms were characterized by fatigue, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, chest pain, muscle pain and brain fog, being the six most reported.ConclusionThe impact of persistent/Long COVID-19 on the health of frontline workers could have direct impact in health service delivery. Given the rise in cases of COVID-19 in South Africa and the world at large, the prevalence of Long COVID is likely to be substantial and therefore need for rehabilitation programs targeted at each of the persistent (Long) COVID symptoms is critical.

scholarly journals SASS: South African Simulation Survey – a review of simulation-based education

2019 ◽  
pp. 12-20
Author(s):  
R Swart ◽  
R Duys ◽  
ND Hauser
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
South African Society ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
The Impact

Background: Simulation-based education (SBE) has been shown to be an effective and reproducible learning tool. SBE is used widely internationally. The current state of SBE in South Africa is unknown. To the best of our knowledge this is the first survey that describes the use and attitudes towards SBE within South Africa. Methods: An online survey tool was distributed by email to: i) the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) members; and ii) known simulation education providers in South Africa. The respondents were grouped into anaesthesia and non-anaesthesia participants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Ethics approval was obtained: HREC REF 157/2017. Results: The majority of the respondents provide SBE and integrate it into formal teaching programmes. There is a will amongst respondents to grow SBE in South Africa, with it being recognised as a valuable educational tool. The user groups mainly targeted by SBE, were undergraduate students, medical interns, registrars and nurses. Learning objectives targeted include practical skills, medical knowledge, critical thinking and integrated management. Amongst anaesthesia respondents: the tool most commonly used to assess the quality of learner performance during SBE, for summative assessment, was ‘expert opinion’ (33%); the most frequent methods of evaluating SBE quality were participant feedback (42%) and peer evaluation (22%); the impact of SBE was most frequently assessed by informal discussion (42%) and learner feedback (39%). In anaesthesia SBE largely takes place within dedicated simulation facilities on site (47%). Most respondents report access to a range of SBE equipment. The main reported barriers to SBE were: finance, lack of trained educators, lack of equipment and lack of protected time. A limited number of respondents report engaging in SBE research. There is a willingness in both anaesthesia and non-anaesthesia groups (96% and 89% respectively) to collaborate with other centres. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this publication provides us with the first cross-sectional survey of SBE in anaesthesia and a selection of non-anaesthetic respondents within South Africa. The majority of respondents indicate that SBE is a valuable education tool. A number of barriers have been identified that limit the growth of SBE within South Africa. It is hoped that with a commitment to ongoing SBE research and evaluation, SBE can be grown in South Africa.

The impact of a chlamydia education program on practice nurse’s knowledge and attitudes in relation to chlamydia testing: a cross-sectional survey

Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Lorch ◽  
Rebecca Guy ◽  
Meredith Temple-Smith ◽  
Alaina Vaisey ◽  
Anna Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Education Program ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Control Effectiveness ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Chlamydia Testing ◽  
Education Group ◽  
The Impact

Background We aimed to determine the impact of a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) education program on the knowledge of and attitudes towards chlamydia testing of practice nurses (PNs). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at baseline and 6–12 months following recruitment with PNs in the Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot. Likert scales were analysed as continuous variables (scores), and t-tests were used to assess changes in mean scores between survey rounds and groups. Results: Of the 72 PNs who completed both surveys, 42 received education. Epidemiology knowledge scores increased significantly between surveys in the education group (P < 0.01), with change in knowledge being greater in the education group compared with the non-education group (P < 0.01). Knowledge of recommended testing scenarios (P = 0.01) and retesting following treatment (P < 0.01) increased in the education group. Attitudes to testing scores improved over time in the education group (P = 0.03), with PNs more likely to want increased involvement in chlamydia testing (P < 0.01). Change in overall attitude scores towards testing between surveys was higher in the education group (P = 0.05). Barriers to chlamydia testing scores also increased in the education group (P = 0.03), with change in barriers greater in the education vs the non-education group (P = 0.03). Conclusion: The education program led to improved knowledge and attitudes to chlamydia, and could be made available to PNs working in general practice. Future analyses will determine if the education program plus other initiatives can increase testing rates.

scholarly journals Community health worker motivation to perform systematic household contact tuberculosis investigation in a high burden metropolitan district in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Kigozi ◽  
Christo Heunis ◽  
Michelle Engelbrecht
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Household Contact ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Free State ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Team Commitment

Abstract Background South Africa faces a chronic shortage of professional health workers. Accordingly, community health workers (CHWs) are being employed to mitigate the ongoing health workforce deficiencies. As increased access to quality service delivery hinges upon their motivation, this study explored CHWs’ motivation to deliver systematic household contact tuberculosis (TB) investigation (SHCI). Methods In 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among CHWs in the Mangaung Metropolitan District, Free State Province. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on a 30-item scale to determine the dimensions underlying CHW motivation. Items with factor loadings of 0.4 and above were retained. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to determine CHW motivation levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the determinants of CHW motivation. Results Out of 235 participants, 89.2% were female. Participants’ median age was 39 (inter-quartile range: 33–45) years. CHW motivation was defined by 16 items across three dimensions — intrinsic job satisfaction, burnout and team commitment, together explaining 56.04% of the total variance. The derived scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.81), with a mean motivation score of 52.26 (standard deviation [sd]: 5.86) out of 64. Statistically significant differences were observed between formal CHWs — those with at least phase 1 standardised accredited training, and informal CHWs — those without such accredited training regarding team commitment scores (17.82 [sd: 2.48] vs. 17.07 [sd: 2.82]; t(233) = 2.157; p = 0.013). CHW age (β = 0.118, p = 0.029), location (β = 1.737, p = 0.041), length of service (β = − 0.495, p < 0.001), attendance of TB SHCI training (β = 1.809, p = 0.036), and TB SHCI competence (β = 0.706, p < 0.001), contributed statistically significantly to CHW motivation. Conclusion CHW motivation to perform TB SHCI was both intrinsic and extrinsic. The high overall mean score implies that the CHWs were well-motivated to perform TB SHCI. To ensure sustained improved access to quality TB SHCI service provision, programme managers in the Free State and similar settings could potentially use the tool derived from this study to monitor and inform CHW motivation interventions. Interventions should pay close attention to the CHWs’ formalisation, competence and training.

Task-shifting in Mental Health Services: Extent, Impact and Challenges in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S618-S618
Author(s):  
V. Agyapong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Task Shifting ◽  
Mental Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

AimTo examine the role and scope of practice of community mental health workers (CMHWs) as well as the impact and challenges associated with of work of CMHWs within Ghana's mental health delivery system.MethodsA cross sectional survey of 11 psychiatrists, 29 health policy directors and 164 CMHWs as well as key informant interviews with 3 CMHWs, 5 psychiatrists and 2 health policy directors and three focus group discussions with 21 CMHWs. Results of quantitative data were analysed with SPSS version 20 whilst the results from qualitative data were analysed manually through thematic analysis.ResultsIn addition to duties prescribed in their job descriptions, all the CMHWs identified several jobs that they routinely perform including jobs reserved for higher level cadres such as medication prescribing for which most of the CMHWs have no training. Some CMHWs reported they had considered leaving the mental health profession because of the stigma, risk, lack of opportunities for continuing professional development and career progression as well as poor remuneration. Almost all the stakeholders believed CMHWs in Ghana receive adequate training for the role they are expected to play although many identify some gaps in the training of these mental health workers for the expanded roles they actually play. All the stakeholders expressed concerns about the quality of the care provided by CMHWs.ConclusionThe study highlights several important issues, which facilitate or hinder effective task-shifting arrangements from psychiatrists to CMHWs and impact on the quality of care provided by the latter.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING PERAWAT IGD RUMAH SAKIT JIWA DALAM MASA TUGAS COVID-19: STUDI FENOMENOLOGI

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-101
Author(s):  
Febriana Tri Kusumawati ◽  
Luky Dwiantoro ◽  
Devi Nurmalia
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Mental Hospital ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Face ◽  
Mutual Care ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic experienced by people around the world has resulted in an increase in the number of patients and stressors for nurses in Mental Hospital Emergency Departments, and is exacerbated by the condition of mental patients who are unable to communicate properly. The quality of patient care in the ER is determined by the availability of the 5M element where nurses as a human element in the COVID-19 pandemic situation require more attention regarding psychological wellbeing. Psychological wellbeing of good nurses will have a positive impact on nursing services in the ER mental hospital. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and feelings of psychologic wellbeing of Surakarta mental hospital emergency room nurses during the COVID-19 period. The research method used a qualitative design on the emergency room nurse mental hospital used Colaizzi analysis method. The results of the analysis of the participant interviews obtained seven themes, namely the meaning of psychological wellbeing (feeling happy, grateful to accept one's own condition, comfortable, useful and productive), Feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic (feelings at the beginning of the pandemic and current feelings), How to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. -19 (increased self-readiness, mutual care and support for fellow nurses, fulfillment of facilities and improvement of service systems), Hope for the COVID-19 pandemic (Joking freely and the pandemic will end soon and no health workers will fall), Changes experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic 19 (changes in regulations and culture in the face of a pandemic, changes in methods of studying online), experiences during work (pleasant experiences and bad experiences), families who always support carers (spouses and children and parents), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ( towards others and towards family). The conclusion now is that nurses feel more comfortable and calm in carrying out their duties. The nurses had made adaptations to reduce anxiety so as to improve the psychological wellbeing status of the nurses.

scholarly journals Psychiatric Manifestations and Associated Risk Factors among Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Edo State, Nigeria.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther O Okogbenin ◽  
Omonefe J Seb-Akahomen ◽  
Osahogie I. Edeawe ◽  
Mary Ehimigbai ◽  
Helen Eboreime ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Edo State ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
The Impact

Objective The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had devastating effects globally. These effects are likely to result in mental health problems at different levels. Although studies have reported the mental health burden of the pandemic on the general population and frontline health workers, the impact of the disease on the mental health of patients in COVID-19 treatment and isolation centres have been understudied in Africa. We estimated the prevalence of depression and anxiety and associated risk factors in hospitalized persons with COVID-19. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 489 patients with COVID-19 at the three government-designated treatment and isolation centres in Edo State, Nigeria. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) tool were used to assess depression and anxiety respectively. Binary logistic regression was applied to determine risk factors of depression and anxiety. Results Of the 489 participants, 49.1% and 38.0% had depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and combination of both were 16.2%, 12.9% and 9.0% respectively. Moderate-severe symptoms of COVID-19, ≥14 days in isolation, worrying about the outcome of infection and stigma increased the risk of having depression and anxiety. Additionally, being separated/divorced increased the risk of having depression and having comorbidity increased the risk of having anxiety. Conclusion A substantial proportion of our participants experienced depression, anxiety and a combination of both especially in those who had the risk factors we identified. The findings underscore the need to address these risk factors early in the course of the disease and integrate mental health interventions into COVID-19 management guidelines.

scholarly journals An examination of the factors fueling migration amongst Community Service practitioners

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice Reardon ◽  
Gavin George
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Bilateral Agreement ◽  
Qualitative Focus Groups ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: Research is needed in order to understand the potential influence of the Bilateral Agreement between South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as other more recent international and local policies restricting movement of South African health workers abroad; and to determine what effect they have on the migration intentions and plans of health professionals in South Africa.Aim: The aims were to (1) explore the migration intentions and the factors that influence these intentions amongst Community Service (CS) nurses and doctors; (2) explore their views and opinions about the Bilateral Agreement between the UK and South Africa (SA) and other UK policies around the recruitment and employment of foreign health professionals; and (3) understand the impact of these policies on the migration plans of these CS doctors and nurses.Method: Qualitative focus groups and interviews were conducted with 23 CS doctors and nurses. To supplement this, 6 interviews were conducted with nurses and a doctor who had worked in the UK.Results: A higher disposition toward moving abroad was apparent amongst those who had experienced a challenging and frustrating CS year. Poor working conditions, including long work hours, high patient loads and inadequate resources and equipment, as well as low salaries and the perceived ambivalence of the government to the complaints of health practitioners, were influencing decisions to migrate abroad.Conclusion: The findings suggest that government efforts to better manage, recognise and respect the work and contribution of health professionals to the country would go a long way toward retaining health professionals.

scholarly journals Evaluating the performance of South African primary care: a cross-sectional descriptive survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Graham Bresick ◽  
Klaus B. Von Pressentin ◽  
Robert Mash
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
South African ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
First Contact

Introduction: In 2018 governments reaffirmed their commitment to implementing primary health care (PHC) in the Astana Declaration. South Africa has introduced a number of health reforms to strengthen PHC and enable universal health coverage (UHC). UHC requires access to quality primary care and progress needs to be measured. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of South African primary care using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT).Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey used data derived from a previous analytical observational study. Data from 413 patients, 136 health workers and 55 managers were analysed from 30 community health centres across four provinces of South Africa. Scores were obtained for 10 key domains and an overall primary care score. Scores were compared in terms of respondents, provinces and monthly headcount.Results: Patients rated first contact accessibility, ongoing care and community orientation as the poorest performing elements ( 50% scoring as ‘acceptable to good’); first contact utilisation, informational coordination and family-centredness as weaker elements ( 66% scoring as ‘acceptable to good’); and comprehensiveness, coordination, cultural competency and availability of the PHC team as stronger aspects of primary care (≥ 66% or more scoring as ‘acceptable or good’). Managers and providers were generally much more positive about the performance of PHC.Conclusion: Gaps exist between PHC users’ experience of care and what PHC staff believe they provide. Priorities to strengthen South African primary care include improving access, informational and relational continuity of care, and ensuring the implementation of community-orientated primary care. The PCAT is a useful tool to measure quality of primary care and progress with UHC.

scholarly journals Proactive community case management in Senegal 2014-2016: a case study in maximizing the impact of community case management of malaria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seynabou Gaye ◽  
Janelle Kibler ◽  
Jean Louis Ndiaye ◽  
Mame Birame Diouf ◽  
Annē Linn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Prise En Charge ◽  
Community Case Management ◽  
Transmission Season ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Senegal National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) introduced home-based malaria management for all ages, with diagnosis by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2008, expanding to over 2000 villages nationwide by 2014. With prise en charge à domicile (PECADOM), community health workers (CHWs) were available for community members to seek care, but did not actively visit households to find cases. A trial of a proactive model (PECADOM Plus), in which CHWs visited all households in their village weekly during transmission season to identify fever cases and offer case management, in addition to availability during the week for home-based management, found that CHWs detected and treated more cases in intervention villages, while the number of cases detected weekly decreased over the transmission season. The NMCP scaled PECADOM Plus to three districts in 2014 (132 villages), to a total of six districts in 2015 (246 villages), and to a total of 16 districts in 2016 (708 villages). A narrative case study with programmatic results is presented. During active sweeps over approximately 20 weeks, CHWs tested a mean of 77 patients per CHW in 2014, 89 patients per CHW in 2015, and 90 patients per CHW in 2016, and diagnosed a mean of 61, 61, and 43 patients with malaria per CHW in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. The number of patients who sought care between sweeps increased, with a 104% increase in the number of RDTs performed and a 77% increase in the number of positive tests and patients treated with ACT during passive case detection. While the number of CHWs increased 7%, the number of patients receiving an RDT increased by 307% and the number of malaria cases detected and treated by CHWs increased 274%, from the year prior to PECADOM Plus introduction to its first year of implementation. Based on these results, approximately 700 additional CHWs in 24 new districts were added in 2017. This case study describes the process, results, and lessons learned from Senegal’s implementation of PECADOM Plus, as well as guidance for other programs considering introduction of this innovative strategy.

scholarly journals Atrial Fibrillation: the Association with Physical Activity and the Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 804-814
Author(s):  
M. G. Bubnova ◽  
D. M. Aronov
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Standard Therapy ◽  
Physical Rehabilitation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this review was to present modern studies that examine the relationship of physical activity and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) development and the impact of cardiac rehabilitation programs in patients with all forms of AF. Data of 52 Russian and foreign scientific sources published in 1998- 2020 were presented. In our study, 48 patients with paroxysmal AF after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) were randomly assigned to a physical rehabilitation/standard therapy or control (standard therapy) group. Aerobic physical training was conducted for 6 months 3 times a week. AF is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias. Despite modern advances, results of treatment of this disease are far from optimal. Many problems of patients with AF can be addressed through enrolment in multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation programs. But this question remains open. This is mainly due to the complexity of selection of physical rehabilitation program for patients with AF. It is known that physical activity can trigger an episode of AF. In the following review article, the approaches to functional capacity assessment of patient with AF are described, recommendations for prescribing safe exercise training to achieve a therapeutic effect are presented. Various aspects of the effects of physical rehabilitation are discussed, including its impact on cardiovascular risk factors, influence on atrial remodeling processes and associated biomarkers, prevention of AF progression and occurrence of cardiovascular complications. Results of our own research indicate effectiveness of physical training in patients with AF after RFA: increase in exercise duration by 18.6% (p<0.001) and load by 24.8% (p<0.01) during exercise test, increase in level of everyday physical activity by 23.8% (p=0.001); left atrium dimensions remain stable comparing with control group. That was combined with a decrease of post ablation atrial arrhythmias: after 6 months, they were registered in 4.5% of trained patients vs 17.4% of control group patients (p<0.01). Steady growth in the number of patients with AF and catheter ablation procedures around the world dictates the need for organization of multi-purpose medical rehabilitation.

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