Consequences of COVID-19 on access and delivery of mental health care in two rural Ethiopian districts. A mixed method study

Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 on people with Severe Mental Health Conditions (SMHCs) has been neglected. We aimed to describe the effect and explore the consequences of COVID-19 on people with SMHCs and mental health services in rural districts of Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted a mixed-method study nested within well-characterized population cohorts in Butajira and Sodo districts. We sampled 336 people (168 people with SMHCs, 168 comparisons) in a cross-sectional survey. We conducted qualitative key informant interviews with psychiatric nurses (n=3), primary health care workers (n=3), service users (n=4), family members (n=6) and community members (n=2). We assessed wellbeing (WHO wellbeing index), social support (Oslo social support scale; OSS) and food security quantitatively and used thematic analysis to explore impacts. Results: People with SMHCs reported significantly lower wellbeing (WHO wellbeing score 52 vs. 72; p<0.001), less social support (OSS score 8.68 vs. 9.29; p<0.001), worse living standards (47.0% vs. 29.0%; p<0.001) and increased food insecurity (26.0% vs. 12.5%; p<0.001). Household economic status worsened for over one-third of participants. Participants reported increased relapse, exacerbated stigma due to perceived susceptibility of people with SMHCs to COVID-19, and increased restraint. In mental healthcare settings, there was decreased patient flow but an increase in new cases. Innovations included flexible dispensing of medicines, longer appointment intervals and establishing new treatment centers. Conclusions: COVID-19 had negative consequences on people with SMHCs and mental health services, which must be anticipated and prevented in any future humanitarian crisis. Adaptive responses used during COVID may increase health system resilience

Impact of COVID -19 on population health and economic wellbeing in Ethiopia: A national pilot survey

Introduction: The COVD-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented global health and economic crisis, particu-larly in countries struggling with poverty. We conducted a national survey to understand the economic and health impacts of COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Methods: A pilot, population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults randomly selected from the Ethio Telecom list of mobile phone numbers. Participants underwent a comprehensive phone interview about the impact of COVID-19 on their economic well-being and the health-related risks associated with COVID-19. Results: Of 4,180 calls attempted, 1194 were answered, of which a successful interview was made with 614 par-ticipants. COVID-19 affected the family income of 343 [55.9%] participants, 56 [9.1%] lost their job, 105 [17.1%] perceived high stress in their household, and 7 [1.14%] reported death in their family in the past month. The odds of having a decreased income due to COVID-19 were 2.4 times higher among self-employed [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.4, 95% CI (1.58-3.77)] and 2.8 times higher among unemployed [AOR 2.8, 95% CI (1.35-5.85)] participants. Two-hundred twenty-one [36%] participants had comorbidity in their household with hypertension, 72 [11.7%], diabetes,50 [8.1%], asthma, 48 [7.8%], and other chronic diseases, 51 [8.4%]. Forty-six [7.5%] participants had COVID-like symptoms in the previous month, where cough, headache, and fatigue were the most com-mon.