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Background: Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic began, several studies were published on the possible prevention and treatment of the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARSCoV-2), and its complications. However, one aspect that was overlooked is the impact on the mental health of the caregivers of COVID-19 patients. The current study endeavors to investigate sleep quality disturbances in the caregivers of COVID-19 patients in different countries. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional multi-center study was performed between August 1, 2021, and August 30, 2022, across 11 countries. A total of 2411 responses meeting the inclusion criteria (being a family member or caregiver involved in patient care) were collected. The sleep quality was assessed using the self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 12. Total scores ranged from 0 to 21. A ≥5 indicated poor sleep quality with 89.6% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity. Results: A total of 2411 responses meeting the inclusion criteria showed that mean PSQI scores (P = 0.3604) were higher in caregivers of hospitalized patients than in patients isolated at home. Approximately 62.4% of caregivers reported sleep quality problems while caring for their patients. Conclusion: The results showed that the majority of caregivers of patients with COVID-19 reported disturbances in sleep quality and impaired sleep was more common among caregivers of hospitalized patients, perhaps because hospitalization is associated with a more severe course of the disease. There is a pressing need to take measures to improve the mental health of these caregivers. There should be treatment programs set up to reverse sleep disturbances in this population sufficiently.
RESUMO
During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, some infection control measures were implemented to keep people safe and control the spread of the virus. These measures however were observed to cause significant delay or interruption in the delivery and utilization of healthcare services. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization and delivery of healthcare services by outpatients in Nigeria during the early phase of the pandemic. A retrospective cross-sectional study design was utilized. We sampled 373 outpatients who had received healthcare services before and during the pandemic in the University College Hospital, Ibadan using convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test) were carried out and the level of significance was set as P<0.05. Healthcare utilization was significantly impacted by the pandemic as there was a reduction in hospital visits by patients during the pandemic (P<0.0003). Restriction of movement and fear of contracting the virus was identified as reasons for the reduction in healthcare services utilization in about 59% of the participants. Patients rated the quality healthcare services delivered to them as 'average' during the pandemic as opposed to 'good' before the pandemic. The findings of this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on patients' utilization of healthcare services as well as the delivery of adequate healthcare services in the hospital during the early phases of the pandemic. Therefore, we recommend that efforts be made to improve hospitals and nationwide preparedness for future pandemics to prevent healthcare interference and delay.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death which can be prevented by early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). International bodies recommend that basic life support (BLS) skills be taught in schools in order to increase the rate of bystander CPR and reduce mortality from OHCA. We are not aware of any BLS education program for non-healthcare students in Nigeria. This study was to assess the awareness and attitude to acquiring BLS skills among university students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among final year university undergraduates using a questionnaire that assessed students' sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of CPR, previous experiences, and attitude to basic life support (BLS). Counts and proportions were compared for the demographic characteristics using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventy-five students from 15 faculties participated in this study, median age was 22.8 years (interquartile range: 21.2-24.5 years). Majority (82.5%) have heard of CPR, 29.7% have undergone CPR training; 77.3% of those who had been trained were confident that they could perform CPR. Previous CPR training was significantly associated with faculty, year of study and age. Eighty-nine (18.7%) students have witnessed someone die from a trauma. Four hundred and fifty (94.7%) respondents would like to get BLS training, 440 (92.6%) think that CPR training should be included in the school curriculum. CONCLUSION: There is good awareness and positive attitude to the acquisition and practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among university students in Nigeria. Few students however, have been trained to administer bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, there is a need to implement university wide BLS education in Nigeria.
