Exploring the status of non-communicable disease care during the COVID-19 pandemic in 13 countries
South Africa
Nasheeta Peer, Tshephang Mashiane, Michel Oris, Kibachio Joseph Mwangi, Sugitha Sureshkumar, Andre-Pascal Kengne
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January 12, 2024
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January 12, 2024
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Exploringthestatusofnon-communicablediseasecare
Title
Exploring the status of non-communicable disease care during the COVID-19 pandemic in 13 countries
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| South Africa | ZAR |
Abstract
Aim:
South Africa has a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and experienced a high COVID-19 caseload, while the healthcare system was already overstretched. The aim of this study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of 1) healthcare professionals (HPs) of COVID-19 and NCD management, and the preparedness of health systems to provide NCD care, and 2) people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) on the care they received, their mental health status and the availability of health information during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.
Methods:
We recruited a convenience sample of 1) HPs who worked in healthcare management i.e., public health officials and healthcare workers who provided care and engaged with patients in any healthcare capacity, and 2) PLWNCDs with =1 NCD. Questionnaires comprised quantitative and some open-ended follow-up questions. SPSS was used to analyse the quantitative data, and content analysis with inductive reasoning was used to evaluate the open-ended questions.
Results:
This cross-sectional study comprised 31 HPs and 79 PLWNCDs. The provision of COVID-19 care was perceived to be adequate by HPs while NCD care was poor with disruptions of services, including for emergency and specialised NCDs care. Strategies to care for non-COVID-19 illnesses during the pandemic were lacking. This would have serious long-term consequences for PLWNCDs and the healthcare system. Perceptions of inadequate NCD care were repeated by PLWNCDs. Further, many PLWNCDs felt anxious, lonely or frightened during the pandemic, but only a small proportion sought medical attention. The utility of digital health was positively perceived by both HPs and PLWNCDs and could contribute to better health provision during crises.
Conclusions:
Policies are needed to ensure that NCD care will not be neglected during future crises and to encourage PLWNCDs to access healthcare services timeously during such periods. Potential strategies may utilise digital health apps to improve care and to address the mental healthcare needs of PLWNCDs.
South Africa has a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and experienced a high COVID-19 caseload, while the healthcare system was already overstretched. The aim of this study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of 1) healthcare professionals (HPs) of COVID-19 and NCD management, and the preparedness of health systems to provide NCD care, and 2) people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) on the care they received, their mental health status and the availability of health information during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.
Methods:
We recruited a convenience sample of 1) HPs who worked in healthcare management i.e., public health officials and healthcare workers who provided care and engaged with patients in any healthcare capacity, and 2) PLWNCDs with =1 NCD. Questionnaires comprised quantitative and some open-ended follow-up questions. SPSS was used to analyse the quantitative data, and content analysis with inductive reasoning was used to evaluate the open-ended questions.
Results:
This cross-sectional study comprised 31 HPs and 79 PLWNCDs. The provision of COVID-19 care was perceived to be adequate by HPs while NCD care was poor with disruptions of services, including for emergency and specialised NCDs care. Strategies to care for non-COVID-19 illnesses during the pandemic were lacking. This would have serious long-term consequences for PLWNCDs and the healthcare system. Perceptions of inadequate NCD care were repeated by PLWNCDs. Further, many PLWNCDs felt anxious, lonely or frightened during the pandemic, but only a small proportion sought medical attention. The utility of digital health was positively perceived by both HPs and PLWNCDs and could contribute to better health provision during crises.
Conclusions:
Policies are needed to ensure that NCD care will not be neglected during future crises and to encourage PLWNCDs to access healthcare services timeously during such periods. Potential strategies may utilise digital health apps to improve care and to address the mental healthcare needs of PLWNCDs.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Nasheeta Peer | NCDRU, SAMRC |
| Tshephang Mashiane | NCDRU, SAMRC |
| Michel Oris | Institute of Global Health (IGH), University of Geneva (UNIGE) |
| Kibachio Joseph Mwangi | World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa |
| Sugitha Sureshkumar | Institute of Global Health (IGH), University of Geneva (UNIGE) |
| Andre-Pascal Kengne | NCDRU, SAMRC |