Post-COVID-19 health-care utilization: one year after the 2020 first wave in Brunei Darussalam
10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.1.949
- Author:
Muhammad Syafiq Abdullah
1
,
2
,
3
,
4
;
Rosmonaliza Asli
1
,
2
;
Pui Lin Chong
1
,
2
;
Babu Ivan Mani
1
;
Natalie Riamiza Momin
1
,
2
;
Noor Affizan Rahman
1
,
2
;
Chee Fui Chong
1
;
Vui Heng Chong
1
,
2
,
3
,
4
Author Information
1. National Isolation Centre, Ministry of Health, Tutong, Brunei Darussalam
2. Department of Medicine, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
3. Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa&rsquo
4. adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19, anxiety, health care utilization, Brunei, follow-up care
- From:
Western Pacific Surveillance and Response
2023;14(1):67-75
- CountryWHO-WPRO
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Patients who recover from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection are at risk of long-term health disorders and may require prolonged health care. This retrospective observational study assesses the number of health-care visits before and after COVID-19 infection in Brunei Darussalam.
Methods: COVID-19 cases from the first wave with 12 months of follow-up were included. Health-care utilization was defined as health-care visits for consultations or investigations. Post-COVID condition was defined using the World Health Organization definition.
Results: There were 132 cases; 59.1% were male and the mean age was 37.1 years. The mean number of health-care visits 12 months after recovery from COVID-19 (123 cases, 93.2%; mean 5.0 ± 5.2) was significantly higher than the prior 12 months (87 cases, 65.9%, P<0.001; mean 3.2 ± 5.7, P<0.001). There was no significant difference when scheduled COVID-19 visits were excluded (3.6 ± 4.9, P = 0.149). All 22 cases with moderate to critical disease recovered without additional health-care visits apart from planned post-COVID-19 visits. Six patients had symptoms of post-COVID condition, but none met the criteria for diagnosis or had alternative diagnoses.
Discussion: There were significantly more health-care visits following recovery from COVID-19. However, this was due to scheduled post-COVID-19 visits as per the national management protocol. This protocol was amended prior to the second wave to omit post-COVID-19 follow-up, except for complicated cases or cases with no documented radiological resolution of COVID-19 pneumonia. This will reduce unnecessary health-care visits and conserve precious resources that were stretched to the limit during the pandemic.
- Full text:2024061813553195547wpsar-14-949.pdf
