Table 2 Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-seeking
| Â | Health care professionals | Mothers |
|---|---|---|
Fear of COVID-19 infection | Reduced patient contact/handling Low patient load for routine services, only for emergencies | Fear of visiting health facilities and schools Fear of non-COVID-19 illnesses Less attendance for ANC, increased home deliveries, use of traditional birth attendants |
COVID-19 testing | Lack of testing | Stigmatisation for COVID-19 like symptoms Fear and stigma of testing positive and isolation |
Behaviour of health care providers | Poor quality care in symptomatic patients Patients’ fear of infection from HCPs Stigmatization | Low HCPs accessibility Low quality of HCPs care in symptomatic patients Disruption of ANC and community outreach clinics |
Access to clinics and HCPs | Less routine child vaccinations ANC closure in tertiary facility | HCPs shortage Health facility closures/ reduced opening hours/ reduced emergency services at night |
Access to medicines | Varied medicine availability: low demand leading to no effect/ reduced stock from supply issues | Lack of medicines High medication prices Self-medication using over-the-counter drugs preferred to herbal treatment |