Acceptability of contact management and care of simple cases of COVID-19 at home: a cross-sectional study in Senegal

Abstract

Background COVID-19 is a major public health problem. In mid-2020, due to the health system challenges from increased COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Health and Social Action in Senegal opted for contact management and care of simple cases at home. The objective of the study was to determine the acceptability of contact and simple case management of COVID-19 at home and its associated factors in Senegal. Methods This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. We collected data from 11 June to 10 July 2020. We used a marginal quota sampling strategy. A total of 813 individuals took part in the survey. We collected data using a telephone interview. Results The care of simple cases of COVID-19 at home was well accepted (78.5%). The use of home contact management was less accepted (51.4%). Knowledge of the modes of transmission of the virus and confidence in institutional information were associated with the acceptability of home care for simple cases. Regularly searching for information on COVID-19 and confidence in the government's control of the epidemic were associated with the acceptability of managing contacts at home. Conclusions Authorities should take these factors into account for better communication to improve the acceptability and confidence in home-based care for COVID-19 and future epidemics.

Serological Survey in a university community after the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Senegal

“…The failure of strategies to combat the spread of the virus could be linked to multiple factors, including (i) CAD University ecosystem, with its over 80,000 students from diverse origins. The consequence is overcrowding in student residences that caused the spread of the virus; (ii) the university environment is mainly populated by young people, who do not seem to be fully aware of the risks associated with the COVID-19 health crisis [13]; (iii) the promiscuity in the Halls of residence, making it difficult to comply with social preventive measures; (iv) Lastly, lack of vaccine deployment and reluctance was noted among young people, which also contributes to low vaccination coverage in universities [14].…”