"Long-COVID" effects on Sudanese survivors of COVID-19 at Omdurman locality: Women and Change

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the "Long-COVID-19" effects on recovered COVID-19 survivors at Omdurman locality. The study implemented non probability purposive and snowball sampling techniques to recruit survivors of COVID-19 for this study. Primary data was collected from (30) COVID-19 survivors by using closed-ended questionnaire with integrated open-ended questions to reflect on the unique experience of the COVID-19 recovered survivors, while secondary data was collected from books, journal, previous studies and the internet. The results were analysed using statistics packet for social sciences (SPSS) (Statistics for windows version 23) and presented in percentages-tables. Open questions were analysed using the thematic analysis procedure. Analysed results revealed that anxiety and stress followed by depression represented the most psychological symptoms reported by the survivors of COVID-19. Psychological fear, reintegration and lack face-to-face communication with others (which to some of the survivors of COVID-19 survivors) continue even after they regain health and the lockdown was released, were the most important concerns the recovered survivors were claiming, while lack of social activities, some bizarre long-COVID related-physical symptoms and death of near relatives presented the most Long-COVID-19 effects among survivors. Intervention of psychiatric and family support were common among the survivors and proved to enhance their health conditions during and some of them even after recovery. Based on the results, it is recommended that 1. There is strong need for psychological intervention in order to help the survivors of COVID-19 to resume normal life, thus, follow-up for the survivors is highly recommended. 2. Awareness programs about psychosocial effect of COVID-19 for the community are needed that survivors of COVID-19 are fully re-integrated among their peers despite psychological barriers. 3. Psychological support and counseling should be part of the COVID-19 protocol that survivors of COVID-19 would benefit from it 4. There is an urgent need to conduct studies on psychosocial effect of COVID-19 on old survivors, who are expected to be the most affected by the epidemics and the least followed for Long-COVID-19 effects