The impact of COVID-19 on rheumatology practice across Africa

Author:

Akintayo Richard O1,Akpabio Akpabio A2ORCID,Kalla Asgar A3,Dey Dzifa4,Migowa Angela N5,Olaosebikan Hakeem6,Bahiri Rachid7,El Miedany Yasser8,Hadef Djohra9,Hamdi Wafa10,Oyoo Omondi11,Slimani Samy12,Yerima Abubakar13,Taha Yassmin14,Adebajo Adewale O15,Adelowo Olufemi O6,Tikly Mohammed16,Ghozlani Imad17,Ben Abdelghani Kawther18,Fouad Nermeen A19,Mosad Doaa20,El Mikkawy Dalia8,Abu-Zaid Mohamed Hassan21,Abdel-Magied Rasha A22

Affiliation:

1. Rheumatology Department, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries, UK

2. Internal Medicine Department, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

3. Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

4. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana

5. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, East Africa, Kenya

6. Department of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria

7. Department of rheumatology, El Ayachi Hospital Medical University, Rabat, Morocco

8. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

9. Department of Paediatrics, Batna 2 University, Batna, Algeria

10. Kassab Institute of Orthopedics, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia

11. Department of Clinical Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

12. Rheumatology, Atlas Clinic of Rheumatology, Batna, Algeria

13. Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

14. Paediatrics Department, Ahmed Gasim Children’s Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan

15. Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

16. Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

17. Rheumatology, Military Hospital, Agadir, Morocco

18. Faculty of Medicine, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

19. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt

20. Paediatrics Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

21. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

22. Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, El Minia University, El Minia, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To identify the changes in rheumatology service delivery across the five regions of Africa from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods The COVID-19 African Rheumatology Study Group created an online survey consisting of 40 questions relating to the current practices and experiences of rheumatologists across Africa. The CHERRIES checklist for reporting results of internet e-surveys was adhered to. Results A total of 554 completed responses were received from 20 countries, which include six in Northern Africa, six in West Africa, four in Southern Africa, three in East Africa and one in Central Africa. Consultant grade rheumatologists constituted 436 (78.7%) of respondents with a mean of 14.5 ± 10.3 years of experience. A total of 77 (13.9%) rheumatologists avoided starting a new biologic. Face-to-face clinics with the use of some personal protective equipment continued to be held in only 293 (52.9%) rheumatologists’ practices. Teleconsultation modalities found usage as follows: telephone in 335 (60.5%), WhatsApp in 241 (43.5%), emails in 90 (16.3%) and video calls in 53 (9.6%). Physical examinations were mostly reduced in 295 (53.3%) or done with personal protective equipment in 128 (23.1%) practices. Only 316 (57.0%) reported that the national rheumatology society in their country had produced any recommendation around COVID-19 while only 73 (13.2%) confirmed the availability of a national rheumatology COVID-19 registry in their country. Conclusion COVID-19 has shifted daily rheumatology practices across Africa to more virtual consultations and regional disparities are more apparent in the availability of local protocols and registries.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Pharmacology (medical),Rheumatology

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