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The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the health-seeking behaviour of an Asian population with acute respiratory infections in a densely populated community.
Tan, Hwee Mian Jane; Tan, Mui Suan; Chang, Zi Ying; Tan, Kee Tung; Ee, Guan Liang Adrian; Ng, Chee Chin David; Hwang, Ying Khee William; Koh, Yi Ling Eileen; Low, Yan Ping Sarah; Tan, Ngiap Chuan.
  • Tan HMJ; SingHealth Polyclinics, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah Connection One (Tower 5), #15-10, Singapore, 150167, Singapore. jane.tan.h.m@singhealth.com.sg.
  • Tan MS; SingHealth Duke-NUS Family Medicine Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore. jane.tan.h.m@singhealth.com.sg.
  • Chang ZY; SingHealth Polyclinics, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah Connection One (Tower 5), #15-10, Singapore, 150167, Singapore.
  • Tan KT; SingHealth Duke-NUS Family Medicine Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore.
  • Ee GLA; SingHealth Polyclinics, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah Connection One (Tower 5), #15-10, Singapore, 150167, Singapore.
  • Ng CCD; SingHealth Duke-NUS Family Medicine Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore.
  • Hwang YKW; SingHealth Polyclinics, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah Connection One (Tower 5), #15-10, Singapore, 150167, Singapore.
  • Koh YLE; SingHealth Duke-NUS Family Medicine Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore.
  • Low YPS; SingHealth Polyclinics, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah Connection One (Tower 5), #15-10, Singapore, 150167, Singapore.
  • Tan NC; SingHealth Duke-NUS Family Medicine Academic Clinical Program, Singapore, Singapore.
BMC Public Health ; 21(1): 1196, 2021 06 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1280583
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) as the Singapore government escalated containment efforts from DORSCON Orange to Circuit Breaker. NPI include mandatory mask wearing, hand hygiene, social distancing, and closure of schools and workplaces. Considering the similar mode of transmission of COVID-19 and other pathogens related to acute respiratory infections (ARI), the effects of NPI could possibly lead to decreased ARI attendances in the community. This study aims to determine the year-on-year and weekly changes of ARI attendances across a cluster of polyclinics following the implementation of NPI.

METHODS:

The effect of the nation-wide measures on the health-seeking behaviour of the study population was examined over three periods (1) 9 weeks prior to the start of Circuit Breaker (DORSCON Orange period), (2) 8 weeks during the Circuit Breaker, and (3) 9 weeks after easing of Circuit Breaker. Data on ARI attendances for the corresponding periods in 2019 were also extracted for comparison and to assess the seasonal variations of ARI. The average weekly workday ARI attendances were compared with those of the preceding week using Wilcoxon signed rank test.

RESULTS:

ARI attendances dropped steadily throughout the study period and were 50-80% lower than in 2019 since Circuit Breaker. They remained low even after Circuit Breaker ended. Positivity rate for influenza-like illnesses samples in the community was 0.0% from the last week of Circuit Breaker to end of study period.

CONCLUSIONS:

NPI and public education measures during DORSCON Orange and Circuit Breaker periods appear to be associated with the health-seeking behaviour of the public. Changing levels of perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits and barriers, and widespread visual cues based on the Health Belief Model may account for this change. Understanding the impact of NPI and shifts in the public's health-seeking behaviour will be relevant and helpful in the planning of future pandemic responses.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Tract Infections / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-021-11200-1

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Tract Infections / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-021-11200-1