Can training over phone calls help improve outcomes for COVID-19 positive patients under home isolation? An analysis of the COVID-19 Care Companion Program in Punjab, India.

Background: Phone-supported recovery of COVID-19 patients in home isolation could be an effective way of addressing COVID-19 in contexts with limited resources. The COVID-19 Care Companion Program (CCP) is one such intervention, designed to support patients and their caregivers in remote, evidence-based management of COVID-19 symptoms. Objective: To estimate the effect of providing phone-based training to COVID-19 patients and their caregivers on the likelihood of hospitalizations and mortality. Methods: A pragmatic randomized trial was conducted to assess the effect of a novel phone-based training program on COVID-19 home-isolated patient outcomes. The analysis compared the outcomes of death and hospitalizations in the teletraining intervention group (CCP) to those receiving standard of care (SoC). Results: Logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, education, occupation, and poverty, as measured by family possession of Below Poverty Line (BPL) card, were used to look at the effect of intervention on hospitalization and mortality. While the CCP intervention had no effect on 21-day mortality (OR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.19 to 2.12), it was associated with a 48% reduction in 21-day hospitalization (OR 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.90). Conclusion: COVID-19 CCP teletraining intervention reduced the rate of hospitalization, potentially reducing the burden on hospitals.

Supporting Immunization Uptake during a Pandemic, Using Remote Phone Call Intervention among Babies Discharged from a Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) in South India.

COVID-19 has impacted children's immunization rates, putting the lives of children at risk. The present study assesses the impact of phone-call counseling, on immunization uptake during the pandemic. Families of babies discharged from the SNCUs in six government centers in three South Indian states were recruited. Calls were made 10 days after the immunization due date. Missed vaccinees were counseled and followed up on 7 and 15 days. Of 2313 contacted, 2097 completed the survey. Respondents were mostly mothers (88.2%), poor (67.5%), and had secondary level education (37.4%). Vaccinations were missed due to the baby's poor health (64.1%), COVID-19 related concerns (32.6%), and lack of awareness (16.8%). At the end of the intervention, the immunization uptake increased from 65.2% to 88.2%. Phone-call intervention can safely support immunization and lower the burden on health workers.

Supporting Immunization Uptake during a Pandemic, Using Remote Phone Call Intervention among Babies Discharged from a Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU) in South India

COVID-19 has impacted children's immunization rates, putting the lives of children at risk. The present study assesses the impact of phone-call counseling, on immunization uptake during the pandemic. Families of babies discharged from the SNCUs in six government centers in three South Indian states were recruited. Calls were made 10 days after the immunization due date. Missed vaccinees were counseled and followed up on 7 and 15 days. Of 2313 contacted, 2097 completed the survey. Respondents were mostly mothers (88.2%), poor (67.5%), and had secondary level education (37.4%). Vaccinations were missed due to the baby's poor health (64.1%), COVID-19 related concerns (32.6%), and lack of awareness (16.8%). At the end of the intervention, the immunization uptake increased from 65.2% to 88.2%. Phone-call intervention can safely support immunization and lower the burden on health workers.