Open AccessPatients’ Perceptions of Hospital Care in a Covid-19 Pandemic Population
Author(s) -
Okechwukwu Felix Erondu,
Michael Promise Ogolodom,
Awajimijan Nathaniel Mbaba,
Aniebo yelum
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of tropical disease and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2278-1005
DOI - 10.9734/ijtdh/2021/v42i1930540
Subject(s) - pandemic , misinformation , covid-19 , medicine , perception , health care , public health , family medicine , public hospital , population , cross sectional study , computer assisted web interviewing , disease , nursing , psychology , environmental health , infectious disease (medical specialty) , business , pathology , marketing , neuroscience , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Background: COVID-19 pandemic was associated with pandemonium and misinformation, affecting patients' health-seeking behavior. This study was designed to explore patients' perceptions of hospital care during this period and to provide evidence-based and appropriate public health planning strategies.
Materials and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 155 patients using 22 items structured and self-completion questionnaires to determine (A) Socio-demographic variables, (B) Knowledge and perception of the disease, and (C) The participants’ behaviors towards COVID-19. A Hardcopy version of the questionnaire was administered to the respondents by direct issuance.
Results: 103(66.45%) of the respondents knew the cause of COVID-19, while 104 (67.09%) agreed that people can be infected with COVID-19 in the hospital. 84 (54.19%) were afraid of a hospital visit and 66 (42.58%) are unwilling to self-report if they have minor symptoms. A large number 43(27.74%) perceived a clean environment as the impetus to make them comfortable in the hospital.
Conclusion: Our study illuminates gaps in the patients’ perceptions of hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted negatively on the patient population as they avoided hospitalization for fear of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital. Furthermore, appropriate public health strategies can improve patients’ perceptions and health-seeking behavior in a pandemic period.