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Segala FV, Ictho J, L’Episcopia M, Onapa E, De Vita E, Novara R, Olung N, Totaro V, Olal L, Patti G, Bingom C, Farina U, Papagni R, Agaro C, Bavaro DF, Amone J, Dall’Oglio G, Ngole B, Marotta C, Okori S, Zarcone M, Ogwang J, Severini C, Lochoro P, Putoto G, Saracino A, Di Gennaro F. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in pregnancy indicators in Northern Uganda: a joinpoint regression analysis. Pathog Glob Health 2024; 118:253-261. [PMID: 37872763 PMCID: PMC11221465 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2273023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy is both a risk factor for P. falciparum infection and development of severe malaria. In low- and middle-income countries, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted health systems, including utilization of maternal services. This study aimed to assess trends in delivering malaria in pregnancy-related health-care services before and during COVID-19 in Northern Uganda. METHODS An interrupted time-series study comparing pre-COVID-19 (January 2018 to April 2020) and COVID-19 (May to December 2021) periods, based on the date the first COVID case was detected. The study involved 30 health facilities in Northern Uganda with 22,650 estimated pregnancies per year, 14% of which took place in hospital. Monthly data were sourced from District routinely collected indicators. Trends were analyzed by joinpoint regression models. RESULTS From the onset of the COVID pandemic in Uganda (May 2020), we found a significant reduction in the number of women accessing a fourth antenatal care visit (from APC + 183.5 to + 4.98; p < 0.001) and taking at least three doses of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp, from APC + 84.28 to -63.12; p < 0.001). However, we found no significant change in the trend of the total number of pregnant women managed as outpatients or hospitalized for malaria, as well as in the number of women attending their first antenatal visit and in the number of institutional deliveries. CONCLUSIONS In our study, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced access to ANC visits and IPTp uptake. However, the healthcare system maintained its capacity for managing malaria cases, first antenatal visits, and institutional deliveries.Trial registration: This study has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov public website on 26 April 2022. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05348746.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vladimiro Segala
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Jerry Ictho
- Health Service Management, Doctors with Africa CAUMM, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Emmanuel Onapa
- Operational Research Unit, St. John’s XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | - Elda De Vita
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Novara
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Nelson Olung
- Operational Research Unit, St. John’s XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | - Valentina Totaro
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Lameck Olal
- Operational Research Unit, African Network for Change, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Giulia Patti
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Umberto Farina
- Hygiene Unit, Policlinico Riuniti Foggia Hospital, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Roberta Papagni
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Caroline Agaro
- Health Office, Oyam District Local Government, Loro, Uganda
| | - Davide Fiore Bavaro
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - James Amone
- Operational Research Unit, St. John’s XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | | | - Benedict Ngole
- Operational Research Unit, African Network for Change, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Claudia Marotta
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Padua, Italy
| | - Samuel Okori
- Operational Research Unit, St. John’s XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | - Maurizio Zarcone
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Epidemiologia Clinica con Registro Tumori, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Joseph Ogwang
- Operational Research Unit, St. John’s XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | - Carlo Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Peter Lochoro
- Health Service Management, Doctors with Africa CAUMM, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Giovanni Putoto
- Health Service Management, Doctors with Africa CAUMM, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Annalisa Saracino
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Gennaro
- Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
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Cardona-Arias JA. Synthesis of Qualitative Evidence on Malaria in Pregnancy, 2005-2022: A Systematic Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8040235. [PMID: 37104360 PMCID: PMC10145031 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Qualitative research on malaria in pregnancy (MiP) is incipient, therefore its contextual, experiential and symbolic associated factors are unknown. This study systematizes the qualitative research on MiP, describes knowledge, perceptions and behaviors about MiP, and compiles individual, socioeconomic, cultural and health system determinants of MiP through a meta-synthesis in 10 databases. A total of 48 studies were included with 2600 pregnant women, 1300 healthcare workers, and 2200 relatives or community members. Extensive knowledge was demonstrated on ITN and case management, but it was lacking on SP-IPTp, risks and consequences of MiP. Attitudes were negative towards ANC and MiP prevention. There were high trustfulness scores and preference for traditional medicine and distrust in the safety of drugs. The main determinants of the Health System were rationing, copayments, delay in payment to clinics, high out-of-pocket expenses, shortage, low workforce and work overload, shortcomings in care quality, low knowledges of healthcare workers on MiP and negative attitude in care. The socioeconomic and cultural determinants were poverty and low educational level of pregnant women, distance to the hospital, patriarchal-sexist gender roles, and predominance of local conceptions on maternal-fetal-neonatal health. The meta-synthesis demonstrates the difficulty to detect MiP determinants and the importance of performed qualitative research before implementing MiP strategies to understand the multidimensionality of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaiberth Antonio Cardona-Arias
- Research Group Salud y Comunidad-César Uribe Piedrahita, School of Microbiology, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No. 52-21, Medellin 050010, Colombia
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Heuschen AK, Abdul-Mumin A, Abubakari A, Agbozo F, Lu G, Jahn A, Müller O. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on general health and malaria control in Ghana: a qualitative study with mothers and health care professionals. Malar J 2023; 22:78. [PMID: 36872343 PMCID: PMC9986038 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04513-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has severely impacted health systems and the management of non-COVID-19 diseases, including malaria, globally. The pandemic has hit sub-Saharan Africa less than expected; even considering large underreporting, the direct COVID-19 burden was minor compared to the Global North. However, the indirect effects of the pandemic, e.g. on socio-economic inequality and health care systems, may have been more disruptive. Following a quantitative analysis from northern Ghana, which showed significant reductions in overall outpatient department visits and malaria cases during the first year of COVID-19, this qualitative study aims to provide further explanations to those quantitative findings. METHODS In the Northern Region of Ghana, 72 participants, consisting of 18 health care professionals (HCPs) and 54 mothers of children under the age of five, were recruited in urban and rural districts. Data were collected using focus group discussions with mothers and through key informant interviews with HCPs. RESULTS Three main themes occurred. The first theme-general effects of the pandemic-includes impacts on finances, food security, health service provision as well as education and hygiene. Many women lost their jobs, which increased their dependance on males, children had to drop out of school, and families had to cope with food shortages and were considering migration. HCPs had problems reaching the communities, suffered stigmatisation and were often barely protected against the virus. The second theme-effects on health-seeking-includes fear of infection, lack of COVID-19 testing capacities, and reduced access to clinics and treatment. The third theme-effects on malaria-includes disruptions of malaria preventive measures. Clinical discrimination between malaria and COVID-19 symptoms was difficult and HCPs observed increases in severe malaria cases in health facilities due to late reporting. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has had large collateral impacts on mothers, children and HCPs. In addition to overall negative effects on families and communities, access to and quality of health services was severely impaired, including serious implications on malaria. This crisis has highlighted weaknesses of health care systems globally, including the malaria situation; a holistic analysis of the direct and indirect effects of this pandemic and an adapted strengthening of health care systems is essential to be prepared for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Katharina Heuschen
- Institute for Global Health, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Alhassan Abdul-Mumin
- School of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.,Tamale Teaching Hospital, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Abdulai Abubakari
- School of Public Health, Department of Global Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Faith Agbozo
- Fred Binka School of Public Health, Department of Family and Community Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Hohoe, Ghana
| | - Guangyu Lu
- School of Public Health, Medical School, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Albrecht Jahn
- Institute for Global Health, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Müller
- Institute for Global Health, University Hospital Heidelberg, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Musoke D, Nalinya S, Lubega GB, Deane K, Ekirapa-Kiracho E, McCoy D. The effects of COVID-19 lockdown measures on health and healthcare services in Uganda. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001494. [PMID: 36963035 PMCID: PMC10021763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Many countries across the world instituted lockdowns as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, these lockdowns had consequences on health systems. This study explored effects of the COVID-19 lockdown measures on health and healthcare services in Uganda. The qualitative study employed focus group discussions (FGDs), household interviews, and key informant interviews (KIIs) in both an urban (Kampala district) and rural (Wakiso district) setting in central Uganda. Fourteen FGDs were conducted among community members, local leaders, community health workers, and health practitioners. Interviews were conducted among 40 households, while 31 KIIs were held among various stakeholders including policy makers, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector. Data was analysed by thematic analysis with the support of NVivo 2020 (QSR International). Findings from the study are presented under four themes: maternal and reproductive health; child health; chronic disease services; and mental health. Maternal and reproductive health services were negatively affected by the lockdown measures which resulted in reduced utilisation of antenatal, postnatal and family planning services. These effects were mainly due to travel restrictions including curfew, and fear of contracting COVID-19. The effects on child health included reduced utilisation of services which was a result of difficulties faced in accessing health facilities because of the travel restrictions. Patients with chronic conditions could not access health facilities for their routine visits particularly due to suspension of public transport. Depression, stress and anxiety were common due to social isolation from relatives and friends, loss of jobs, and fear of law enforcement personnel. There was also increased anxiety among health workers due to fear of contracting COVID-19. The COVID-19 lockdown measures negatively affected health, and reduced access to maternal, reproductive and child health services. Future interventions in pandemic response should ensure that their effects on health and access to health services are minimised.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Musoke
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah Nalinya
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Grace Biyinzika Lubega
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Kevin Deane
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Ekirapa-Kiracho
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David McCoy
- International Institute for Global Health, United Nations University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Duguay C, Accrombessi M, N'Tcha LK, Akinro BA, Dangbenon E, Assongba L, Yee SC, Feng C, Labonte R, Krentel A, Protopopoff N, Akogbeto M, Kulkarni MA. Community-level impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on malaria prevention and health-seeking behaviours in rural Benin: A mixed methods study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001881. [PMID: 37205645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Globally, negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria prevention and control efforts have been caused by delayed distributions of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN), decreased outpatient attendance, and disruptions to malaria testing and treatment. Using a mixed methods approach, we aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on community-level malaria prevention and health-seeking practices in Benin more than one year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data through community-based cross-sectional surveys with 4200 households and ten focus group discussions (FGDs). Mixed effect logistic regression models accounting for a clustered sampling design were used to identify variables associated with main outcomes (good COVID-19 knowledge, LLIN usage and access, and avoidance of health centres). Consistent with the experiences of FGD participants, receiving information from radios or televisions was significantly associated with good COVID-19 knowledge and avoiding health centres because of the pandemic (p<0.001 for both). Qualitative findings also revealed varying and polarizing changes in health-seeking behaviours with participants noting that they either did not change their health-seeking behaviours or went to health centres less or more often because of the pandemic. LLIN usage and access did not decrease in the study area because of the pandemic (LLIN usage: 88% in 2019 to 99.9% in 2021; LLIN access: 62% in 2019 to 73% in 2021). An unexpected change and unintended challenge for sustained malaria prevention included families socially distancing in their homes, resulting in a shortage of LLINs. Our findings showed that there were minimal community-level impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on malaria prevention and health seeking behaviours in rural Benin, which highlights the importance of efforts to sustain malaria prevention and control interventions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Duguay
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Manfred Accrombessi
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Ludovic K N'Tcha
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
- Laboratory of Applied Anthropology and Education for Sustainable Development, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Bruno A Akinro
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Landry Assongba
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Samantha C Yee
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Cindy Feng
- Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Ronald Labonte
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Alison Krentel
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natacha Protopopoff
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Disease Control Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Akogbeto
- Centre de Recherche Entomologique de Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Manisha A Kulkarni
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Heuschen AK, Abdul-Mumin A, Adokiya M, Lu G, Jahn A, Razum O, Winkler V, Müller O. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria cases in health facilities in northern Ghana: a retrospective analysis of routine surveillance data. Malar J 2022; 21:149. [PMID: 35570272 PMCID: PMC9107588 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04154-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic and its collateral damage severely impact health systems globally and risk to worsen the malaria situation in endemic countries. Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana. This study aims to describe the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria cases observed in health facilities in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods Monthly routine data from the District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS2) of the Northern Region of Ghana were analysed. Overall outpatient department visits (OPD) and malaria case rates from the years 2015–2019 were compared to the corresponding data of the year 2020. Results Compared to the corresponding periods of the years 2015–2019, overall visits and malaria cases in paediatric and adult OPDs in northern Ghana decreased in March and April 2020, when major movement and social restrictions were implemented in response to the pandemic. Cases slightly rebounded afterwards in 2020, but stayed below the average of the previous years. Malaria data from inpatient departments showed a similar but more pronounced trend when compared to OPDs. In pregnant women, however, malaria cases in OPDs increased after the first COVID-19 wave. Conclusions The findings from this study show that the COVID-19 pandemic affects the malaria burden in health facilities of northern Ghana, with declines in inpatient and outpatient rates except for pregnant women. They may have experienced reduced access to insecticide-treated nets and intermittent preventive malaria treatment in pregnancy, resulting in subsequent higher malaria morbidity. Further data, particularly from community-based studies and ideally complemented by qualitative research, are needed to fully determine the impact of the pandemic on the malaria situation in Africa.
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