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
;
Rosmonaliza Asli
2
;
Pui Lin Chong
2
;
Babu Ivan Mani
3
;
Natalie Riamiza Momin
2
;
Noor Affizan Rahman
2
;
Chee Fui Chong
3
;
Vui Heng Chong
1
Author Information
1. National Isolation Centre, Ministry of Health, Tutong, Brunei Darussalam; Department of Medicine, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam; Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
2. National Isolation Centre, Ministry of Health, Tutong, Brunei Darussalam; Department of Medicine, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
3. National Isolation Centre, Ministry of Health, Tutong, 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
