Views of healthcare workers to help develop support for people with post-COVID syndrome in Nigeria: a survey study

Abstract

Background Existing pulmonary rehabilitation services have been adapted to accommodate the excess demands for support for people with post-coronavirus disease syndrome. For many low- and middle-income countries, where pulmonary rehabilitation is not routinely available, interventions specific to local contexts are needed. Objective This study aimed to examine the views of healthcare workers in Nigeria on ways to support individuals’ recovery from post-coronavirus disease syndrome. Design An online survey repeated at two time points during the pandemic via social media. Setting Data collection occurred in April–July 2020 and January–July 2021, coordinated from Abuja, Nigeria. Participants A convenience sample of healthcare workers voluntarily completed the survey without any time constraints. Main outcome measures The survey comprised closed and open-ended questions, in English, with free text boxes for additional comments where necessary. The survey included questions on the key components of post-coronavirus disease support; appropriate location, timing and communication strategies; barriers to healthcare workers referring patients; and perceived barriers to patients accepting a referral. Results Two hundred and two fully completed responses were received from healthcare workers (52% male, 53% physiotherapists). The majority (88%) recommended support of hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients with home (57%) or community-based (70%) interventions combining video (57%) and telephone (74%) support. Priority components were aerobic exercise (69%), coping with the stigma of infection (68%), advice on nutrition (68%) and integrating back into the community (63%). Healthcare worker-perceived patient barriers to accepting support were cost of treatment (64%), patient stigmatisation (63%) and risk of patient re-infection (53%). The main healthcare worker barrier in referring patients was inadequate personal protective equipment (63%). Limitations This exploratory survey study recruited a convenience sample, was available only online and relied on social media for uptake, leading to probable selection bias. Limitations in staffing and resources meant that people with post-coronavirus disease syndrome were not recruited. Conclusion Post-coronavirus disease support was viewed as a high priority by healthcare workers in Nigeria. These results act as a foundation for developing suitable support interventions for post-coronavirus disease survivors with ongoing symptom burden. The suggested structure, content and delivery of post-coronavirus disease support fits well with the conventional structure of pulmonary rehabilitation. Future work The development of post-coronavirus disease support interventions in Nigeria. Funding This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research programme as award number 17/63/20. A plain language summary of this research article is available on the NIHR Journals Library Website https://doi.org/10.3310/UTNT4760.