Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on Non-Covid illness in the General population of Pakistan
Zorain Mustafa Khalil, Jannat Sardar Sheikh, Bismah Riaz, Mohammad Salman Imtiaz, Anum Arif, Hamza Jamil
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ABSTRACT
Aim: The goal of
this study was to examine the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic 2020 on the
health-seeking behavior of the general public in a lower-middle-income nation
like Pakistan by looking at the availability, accessibility, and usage of
health infrastructure.
Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 394 Pakistani
patients completed an online questionnaire measuring their willingness to seek
medical treatment, reporting for follow-up visits, and the ease of getting
medical care about their medical condition, both before and after the pandemic.
The information was then examined.
Results: During
the pandemic, 21.8 percent of patients visited a health center for follow-up.
Fear of infection from the health institution kept 20.3 percent of patients
from showing up for follow-up. 17.5 percent of patients had significant
symptoms from their underlying sickness but delayed going to the doctor due to
the fear of the virus. Patients' appointments were canceled or rescheduled in
20.1 percent of cases, while 54.1 percent did not feel the need to visit a
health center.
Conclusion: Fear of the virus, lockdowns, limitations, and
other reasons have resulted in a substantial proportion of the population
avoiding ER/health facility visits while suffering symptoms that necessitate
medical attention. The long-term impact on a developing country's healthcare
system, such as Pakistan, will be negative unless extraordinary steps are made
to provide safe, accessible, and cheap health care during the epidemic.
Keywords: Barrier, comorbidities, COVID-19, healthcare,
pandemic