Prevalence of Post COVID-19 Condition among healthcare workers: self-reported online survey in four African countries (preprint)

The impact of Post COVID-19 Condition is ongoing despite the declaration that the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. In this study, we explore the prevalence of PCC among healthcare workers (HCWs) in four African Countries and its influence on their professional performance. This study was conducted as an online cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers from four African countries (Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, and Somalia) between the 20th of December 2021 to 12th of January 2022. We determined the prevalence of PCC based on the WHO case definition and assessed variables associated with a higher prevalence of PCC in these countries using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A total of 706 HCWs from four African countries were included in this survey. Most of the HCWs were aged between 18-34 years (75.8%, n=535). Our findings showed that 19.5% (n=138) of the HCWs had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. However, 8.4% (n=59) were symptomatic for COVID-19 but tested negative or were never tested. Two-thirds of the HCWs (66.4%, n=469)have received a COVID-19 vaccine and 80.6% (n=378) of those vaccinated had been fully vaccinated. The self-reported awareness rate of PCC among the HCWs was 16.1% (n=114/706) whereas the awareness rate of PCC among COVID-19-positive HCWs was 55.3 % (n=109/197). The prevalence of PCC among HCWs was 58.8% (n=116). These changes include the self-reported symptoms of PCC which included headache (58.4%, n=115), fatigue (58.8%, n=116), and muscle pain (39.6%, n=78). Similarly, 30% (n=59) and 20.8% (n=41) of the HCWs reported the loss of smell and loss of taste long after their COVID-19 infection, respectively. Some HCWs (42%, n=83) believed that their work performance has been affected by their ongoing symptoms of PCC. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of PCC among the vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs (p > 0.05). Of the socio-demographic variables, age (older HCWs between 45-54 years; OR:1.7; 95% CI: 1.06, 10.59; p = 0.001) and location (Egypt; OR:14.57; 95% CI: 2.62, 26.76; p = 0.001) were more likely to have experienced PCC than other age groups and countries respectively. The study revealed low prevalence of PCC among the surveyed HCC. In addition, it observed the need for adequate medical and psychological support to HCWs with PCC, improve their COVID-19 vaccination uptake, and conduct mass advocacy campaigns on PCC.

Will Africans Take COVID-19 Vaccination? (preprint)

Background: The economic and humanistic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been tremendous globally, including in Africa. No definitive treatment exists yet. The accelerated development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines, therefore, offers a unique opportunity for the prevention and control of COVID-19. The extent to which vaccine hesitancy may limit the success of vaccine distribution is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the potential coronavirus vaccine hesitancy, and explore the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among Africans.Methods: An online cross-sectional continent-wide (Africa), pretested questionnaire was administered in Arabic, English, and French languages among Africans. The questionnaire comprised questions on demographics of respondents, self-reported health status and literacy, knowledge and perception of vaccines, past experience and behavior, risk assessment of SARS-COV-2, and willingness to receive, voluntariness, and affordability of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine, and vaccine education and distribution. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: A total of 5,416 individuals completed the survey. Approximately, 94% were residents of 34 African countries while the others were Africans living in the Diaspora. Only 62% of participants surveyed were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 79% were worried about the side effects of the vaccine, and 39% actually expressed concerns that they might get infected by receiving the vaccine. The odds ratio (OR) of vaccine hesitancy was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.22, 0.30) among those who believed their risk of infection was very high, compared to those who believed their risk of infection was very low. The OR of vaccine hesitancy was 0.21 (95% CI: 0.16, 0.28) among those who believed their risk of falling very sick was very high, compared to those who believed their risk of falling very sick was very low. The OR of vaccine hesitancy was 2.72 (95% CI: 2.24, 3.31) among those who have previously refused a vaccine for themselves or their child compared to counterparts with no self-reported history of vaccine hesitancy. Many participants want the vaccines to be made mandatory (40%), provided free of charge (78%) and distributed at homes and offices (44%).Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is substantial among Africans, and this is related to perceived risk of coronavirus infection and past experiences.Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: Institutional review boards from Nigeria (University of Ilorin) and Egypt (Ahram Canadian University, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine) approved the study.