scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilisation of health services at public hospitals in Yemen: a retrospective comparative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e047868
Author(s):  
Mikyias Kotiso ◽  
Naseeb Qirbi ◽  
Kahtan Al-Shabi ◽  
Elena Vuolo ◽  
Ali Al-Waleedi ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global crisis, creating an unprecedented situation, which has taken the world by storm, overshadowing on all life’ aspects and having a significant impact on the health systems of most countries. In this study, the delivery of health services is investigated both before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at public hospitals in Yemen to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the utilisation of health services.MethodData collected from 127 hospitals in Yemen were reviewed using the DHIS2 system. The data represented 3 months before the outbreak of COVID-19 between January and March 2020 and during the outbreak of COVID-19 outbreak between April and June 2020. The results were then compared with the same period in 2019. The utilisation pattern of healthcare services during the period of investigation was compiled and analysed by applying a generalised estimating equation (GEE) to examine the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in Yemen. The data collected from the targeted hospitals included information related to consultations, surgeries, deliveries, C-sections and penta-3rd dose immunisation.ResultsThe trendline of health services used during the pandemic showed a gradual decline beginning from April 2020 for consultations, surgeries and penta-3rd dose utilisation. The GEE model revealed a significant effect (p<0.05) during the outbreak compared with preoutbreak in the consultation services (B=−1,343.9; 95% CI −1,767.2 to −920.6; χ2=38.718), surgeries (B=−54.98; 95% CI −79.13 to −30.83, χ2=19.911) and penta-3rd dose (B=−24.47; 95% CI −30.56 to −18.38 and χ2=62.010). As for deliveries and C-sections, the results were shown to be statistically non-significant.ConclusionThe impact of COVID-19 on continuity of health services delivery in Yemen has been distinct and profound, where the study revealed that the number of the consultations, surgeries and number of vaccinated children have been declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to the partially lockdown measures taken and fear of being infected. However, the deliveries and C-section services remained nearly in the same level and did not affect by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F R Rab ◽  
S S Stranges ◽  
A D Thind ◽  
S S Sohani

Abstract Background Over 34 million people in Afghanistan have suffered from death and devastation for the last four decades as a result of conflict. Women and children have borne the brunt of this devastation. Afghanistan has some of the poorest health indicators in the world for women and children. In the midst of armed conflict, providing essential healthcare in remote regions in the throws of conflict remains a challenge, which is being addressed the Mobile Health Teams through Afghan Red Crescent (ARCS). To overcome socio-cultural barriers, ARCS MHTs have used local knowledge to hire female staff as part of the MHTs along with their male relatives as part of MHT staff. The present study was conducted to explore the impact of engaging female health workers as part of MHTs in conflict zones within Afghanistan on access, availability and utilization of maternal and child health care. Methods Quantitative descriptive and time-trend analysis were used to evaluate impact of introduction of female health workers. Qualitative data is being analyzed to assess the possibilities and implications of engaging female health workers in the delivery of health services. Results Preliminary results show a 96% increase in uptake of services for expectant mothers over the last four years. Average of 18 thousand services provided each month by MHTs, 70% for women and children. Service delivery for women and children significantly increased over time (p &lt; 0.05) after inclusion of female health workers in MHTs. Delivery of maternity care services showed a more significant increase (p &lt; 0.001). Time trend and qualitative analyses is ongoing. Conclusions Introduction of female health workers significantly improved uptake of health care services for women and children especially in extremely isolated areas controlled by armed groups in Afghanistan. Engaging with local stakeholders is essential for delivery of health services for vulnerable populations in fragile settings like Afghanistan. Key messages Understanding cultural norms results in socially acceptable solutions to barriers in delivery of healthcare services and leads to improvements in access for women and children in fragile settings. Building local partnerships and capacities and using local resources result in safe, efficient and sustainable delivery of healthcare services for vulnerable populations in fragile settings.


Social Change ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-492
Author(s):  
Imrana Qadeer

Using a comprehensive framework (the state’s will to deliver, its institutional strength and its legitimacy), this article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public sector healthcare services in India. The power to deliver was explicit when the interventions were harsh, increasing the burden of death and disease on health services. But when it came to healthcare by the public sector we find a worsening of achievements of non-COVID ailments during the pandemic and an inability to tackle the second wave due to gaps in the nation's infrastructure, a centralised control undermining state authority; and visible results of a flawed policy that pushed further the agenda of making healthcare a profitable business.


Author(s):  
Marme G

Introduction: Healthcare service is an essential determinant of population health. This qualitative case study aims to explore health service users’ perspectives of effective health services delivery and the current challenges affecting the management and delivery of health services at a primary healthcare facility in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gigil Marme

Abstract Introduction: Healthcare service is an essential determinant to population health. This qualitative case study aims to explore health service users’ perspective of effective health services delivery and the current challenges affecting the management and delivery of health services at a primary healthcare facility in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Methods: Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews with key informants (KI) representing academics, undergraduate students, administration staff, patients and healthcare workers. The interviews covered three main areas: users’ views of effective health services, current challenges affecting effective planning and management of primary healthcare services, and interventions to improve health services planning and delivery. Results: The services users associated effective health services delivery with increased availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality healthcare. Many factors exist to influence the effective planning and delivery of health services. The results show that health systems and personal factors have a major influence on the planning and health services delivery. Conclusion: The findings from this study call for an evaluation of the current healthcare system, particularly at the primary healthcare level, as the primary point of contact to the formal healthcare system, and the need for developing a contextual model of healthcare that meet the needs of the service users. We concluded that if health services users’ perspectives are considered in health policy, the local community may experience significant improvement in health status.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firaol Dandena ◽  
Berhanetsehay Teklewold ◽  
Dagmawi Anteneh

Abstract BackgroundHealth systems around the world are being challenged by on-going COVID-19 pandemic .The COVID-19 pandemic and associated response can have a significant downstream effect on access to routine health care services, and indirectly cause morbidity and mortality from causes other than the disease itself ,especially in resource-poor countries such Ethiopia. This study aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on these service and measures taken to combat the effect.MethodsThe study was conducted at St. Paul’s hospital millennium medical college (SPHMMC). The study was conducted from December 15, 2020 to January 15, 2021 using comparative cross- sectional study design. We collected data on the number of clients getting different essential healthcare services from May to October 2019 (Pre COVID) and same period in 2020 (during COVID-19 pandemic) from patient registry book. The analysis was done with SPSS version 24 software.ResultOverall, the essential services of SPHMMC were affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The most affected service is inpatient admission that showed 73 % (2044 to 682) reduction from pre- COVID period and the least affected is maternal service, which only decrease by 13% (3671 to 3177). During the 6 months after COVID-19 pandemic, there is a progressive increment in number of clients getting essential health services.ConclusionThe establishment of a triple setup for fighting against COVID-19, which encompass; non COVID service, isolation centre and COVID-19 treatment centre played a vital role in preserving essential health services.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Savitha

Background:Lack of sustainable and affordable health financing mechanisms in India has exposed the poor ininformal sector to iatrogenic poverty. Hardship financing of health services has negative financial consequences on thefuture income of these households. This can be mitigated through micro health insurance (MHI) because it aims to removefinancial barriers to access and utilize health services.Objectives:Recognizing the dearth of studies on impact of MHI schemes in India, we carried out an in-depth study onSampoorna Suraksha Programme (SSP) in Karnataka to assess the effect on access and utilization of healthcare services.Methods:We designed a descriptive cross sectional household survey that collected data from 1146 households toevaluate the impact using logistic regression analysis.Results:Insured individuals were more likely to access and utilize inpatient services compared to uninsured individuals.Moral hazard measured as length of stay in the hospital was absent. Horizontal equity in utilization based on gender andincome was observed. Insured used private providers than public hospitals or self-medicine. The results of the studysupport the positive impact of MHI on access and utilization of health services.Conclusion:The findings of the study enhance our understanding of the positive role of MHI in the promotion of betterhealth behavior of the poor people who usually forego treatment during illness. This would reinforce policymakers toadvocate MHI to mitigate iatrogenic poverty in India, the land of villages.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Ayas ◽  
Ahmad Mohd Haider Ali Al Amadi ◽  
Duaa Khaled ◽  
Ahmad Munzer Alwaa

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world in an unprecedented manner. It has aggravated psychological distress in parents of children with cochlear implants. Continuous use of a speech sound processor is critical for auditory stimulation in children with cochlear implants. However, movement restrictions imposed have affected access to hearing healthcare services. The current study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hearing healthcare access for children with cochlear implants. Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among parents of children with cochlear implants. Results: A total of 24 parents responded to the questionnaire. All the respondents reported that COVID-19 has a significant impact on access to hearing health services for their children. Speech processor breakdown and disconnection from the auditory mode of communication had a critical influence on behavioral changes in children. Conclusions: The current study highlights the hurdles faced by the parents in order to access hearing health services for their children. The use of innovative methods such as remote tele-audiology will be the way forward to tackle challenges faced by the parents.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuhal Kathy Keeling

BACKGROUND mHealth is a broad term for the use of mobile communication devices for healthcare services delivery. The use of mobile devices by health care professionals (HCPs) has transformed many aspects of clinical training and practice. However, there are still gaps in knowledge concerning patient perception of the use of mHealth technologies by HCP during secondary care consultations. OBJECTIVE To explore the impact on patient experience and implications for consultation outcomes and treatment adherence. Introduction of new technological application into interactions that have very set expectations and roles and possibility for attendant disruption of patient expectations. METHODS This paper explores, via in-depth interviews, patient opinions regarding the usage of mHealth applications by health care professionals (HCPs) during consultations, identifying the paradoxes and coping behaviors to deal with those paradoxes. This qualitative study recruited ten respondents using purposive sampling and snowballing techniques through in-depth interviews. RESULTS The results comprise paradoxes and coping behaviors. They showed that convenience, time savings, accuracy of diagnosis and reduction of errors are the important elements for using mHealth for both HCP and patient. In addition, respondents perceived that mobile health apps facilitate HCP engagement of patients and assist explanations and better patient understanding. Interaction and the quality of the interaction were acknowledged as significant in HCP-patient communication and patient compliance with treatment. CONCLUSIONS To sum, many patients were responsive to the idea of mHealth, both by the doctor and themselves, but wanted to have regulation of use of apps, better involvement and explanations and not have the doctor lose focus on the patient, that is, the feeling of personalized treatment. They also were worried that the HCP might seem to ignore the patient or withdraw from the type of interaction that makes the consultation ‘human.’


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiral Sheth

The new challenges of globalisation have made it essential to achieve and sustain a high level of efficiency in the provision of healthcare. Even though the Government of Maharashtra clearly views assuring efficiency and providing public health services to the people as an important policy objective, data reveals that the amount of resources spent on public healthcare especially public hospitals is very meagre as compared to the needs of the population. This study attempts to understand the shift from public to the private health sector by the users of health services in the city of Mumbai. This changing trend towards increasing use of private hospitals for healthcare services was analysed to understand the specific reasons behind the privatisation of health services in this metropolitan city. Using primary survey, the analysis revealed that majority of the users preferred private hospital services due to various reasons like cleanliness, better infrastructure, efficient and competent doctors and other staff. The results also indicated significant inefficiencies in the functioning of the public hospitals as noted from the responses of the users.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
Muhammad Afzal ◽  
Ali Waqas ◽  
Amina Farooq ◽  
Muhammad Hussain

Efficient health services require the self-confident and capable medical staff. This milestone cannot be achieved without the flexible and supportive leadership. In the developing countries, health sector has been facing the critical issues like lack of staff, management focus, health facilities and other challenges. Therefore, it is the need of time that supportive and flexible environment should be provided to the nurses so that the self-esteem can be increased and efficient health services can be ensured. Moreover, leaders play a vital role to create the flexible environment that increases the nurse’s self-esteem. Thus, the current study investigates the influence of transformational leadership style on the nurse’s self-esteem of public hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 200 nurses of two major public hospitals (Mayo hospital and Jinnah hospital) of Lahore, Pakistan through simple random sampling. The results of the current study reveal that transformational leadership style has significant and positive relationship with nurse’s self-esteem. Therefore, health care sector authorities should adopt the transformational leadership style to enhance the nurse’s self-esteem in their sector to ensure the efficient health care services. Furthermore, limitations and recommendations are given in the last chapter. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 3, Issue-4: 287-293


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