COVID-19 lockdown implementation in Ghana: lessons learned and hurdles to overcome

Assan, Abraham; Hussein, H. H.; Agyeman-Duah, David N. K.

doi:10.1057/s41271-021-00330-w

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This also contributed to e cient management of resources, including ensuring availability of human and material resources such as a well-established surveillance system for effective mass COVID-19 testing. Study nding supports studies showing that collective efforts from multisector to build a mass testing capacity by increasing the availability of health workers, establishing more testing centers, and reporting consistent data has a positive impact on encouraging more people to get tested and steer its scale-up strategies [22][23][24]. The ndings also highlight why and how these factors in uence people's behaviors to get tested and public and private actions to cut the COVID-19 transmission.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

See 1 more Smart Citation

COVID-19 testing: A qualitative study exploring enablers and barriers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Yangchen

Assan³

2022

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Despite the rolling out of vaccines, the importance of extensive testing along with effective tracing and treatment is still crucial to slowing transmission of the COVID-19 virus. However, testing barriers can be significant impediments to effective COVID-19 response. This study explored enablers and barriers to COVID-19 testing in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. We envision lessons learned from this study could serve as a roadmap to strengthen the current response to COVID-19 and preparedness for future outbreaks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: A qualitative design was undertaken to explore the phenomenon. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews with key informants with a purposively selected sample of 20 participants. Interviews were conducted using flexible semi-structured interview guides. Depending on the participant's position and involvement in COVID-19 testing, the guides were modified, and key elements were drawn from a tailored version of the WHO Health System Framework incorporating the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF). The interview findings were augmented by reviewing published literature. Results: Better health governance and political leadership, community participation, multisectoral collaboration, effective resource management and information systems were key enablers of COVID-19 testing. Findings also revealed a strong political willingness to committing financial resources to enhance testing. The primary barriers to testing were mainly COVID-19 infodemic, inadequacy of material resources to meet growing health needs, and lack of opportunities to have equal and easy access to testing services. Further, although human resources were adequate, they were unevenly distributed across settings. Conclusion: To effectively be prepared for COVID-19 testing and respond to future outbreaks, the following are recommended: there should be improved political commitments to ensure even distribution of all resources across the country; financial supports should be provided for the poor to protect them from the financial burden of paying for expensive testing services; improving community participation should be encouraged to address socio-cultural barriers to testing hesitancy. However, multilateral cooperation with diverse stakeholders beyond the scope of health will be essential in facilitating pandemic responses such as scaling up testing strategies

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Other studies have also highlighted how adequate preparation and response to outbreaks necessitate resources for expansion of COVID-19 testing capacity. Besides, scarce resources pose a challenge to ensuring adequate access to testing, especially for vulnerable populations [24], including the poor, who cannot afford to pay to be tested.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 testing: A qualitative study exploring enablers and barriers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Yangchen

Assan³

2022

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The partial lockdown affected the livelihood of persons residing in Accra and Kumasi, especially the vulnerable, making it difficult for them to adhere to the lockdown restrictions. Consequently, the lockdown was lifted on 20 th April 2020, due to economic hardship on the vulnerable despite the rising cases of COVID-19 [ 2 , 3 ]. In addition, the government of Ghana provided the necessary logistics and regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19, such as the provision of isolation centres and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to health workers, mandatory 14-day quarantine of travellers arriving in the country and tracing contacts of infected persons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among women in two regions of Ghana: A qualitative study

Afrifa-Anane¹,

Larbi

Addo

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although COVID-19 vaccines are available, evidence suggests that several factors hinder or facilitate their use. Several studies have found gender differences in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, with women less likely to vaccinate than men in many countries, including Ghana. These studies, however, have primarily been quantitative. This study used a qualitative approach to examine the facilitators and barriers to vaccine uptake among women in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional descriptive qualitative research design, 30 women in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana were conveniently sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Fifteen (15) interviews were conducted in each region. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using QSR NVivo version 10 software. Among the key factors that facilitate COVID-19 vaccination are the desire to protect oneself and family against COVID-19, education about COVID-19 vaccines, seeing others receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccine being cost-free. On the other hand, long queues at the vaccination centres, fear of side effects, misconceptions about the vaccines, and shortage of vaccines were the main barriers against COVID-19 vaccination. The study results show that individual, institutional, and vaccine-related factors facilitate or hinder COVID-19 vaccination among women. Addressing these factors need continuous comprehensive health education, and ensuring vaccine availability at vaccination sites will improve women’s uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines.

show abstract

“…In Ghana, the rst case of COVID-19 was recorded in the early part of March 2020, and a partial lockdown was implemented in the major cities, which took effect on March 30, 2020 and lasted for three weeks [14]. To prevent the spread of infection, the general public was also admonished to stay indoors and limit their movement.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…COVID-19, and its associated economic challenges, is reversing some of the progress that has been made [13]. The early days of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns in almost every country in the world, while essential health services such as those provided by child welfare clinics became limited.In Ghana, the rst case of COVID-19 was recorded in the early part of March 2020, and a partial lockdown was implemented in the major cities, which took effect on March 30, 2020 and lasted for three weeks [14]. To prevent the spread of infection, the general public was also admonished to stay indoors and limit their movement.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Child welfare clinic attendance during the COVID-19 restriction era and the nutritional status of children

Biri-Baidoo

Agyapong

Mohammed

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly affected child welfare clinic services. However, there is limited data on how attendance to child welfare clinics during the pandemic associates with the nutritional status of children. This cross-sectional study, therefore, sought to assess child welfare clinic attendance within the covid-19 restriction era and how it associates with the nutritional status of children. Methods The study was conducted in four health facilities– one hospital, one health centre and two outreach centres. A total of 300 mother-child pairs participated in the study. Socio-demographic, dietary (multiple 24hr recalls), anthropometric (weight, height and mid-upper arm circumference) and biochemical (haemoglobin) characteristics were assessed for all children. Also, information on child welfare clinic attendance, vaccinations and supplementations were obtained from the maternal and child health record book. Results The median age of the children was 15(14) months. The mean weight-for-age and height-for-age z scores were -0.630(1.66) and -0.770(1.99). Among study participants, the mean number of attendances to child welfare clinics from the index case through the restriction period and after the easing of restrictions were 6.0(3.0) vrs 7.0(4.0), p<0.001. Missing of child welfare clinic was associated with lower intakes for most nutrients below recommended levels – total calories (did not miss 1024.0(458.2) kcal vrs missed 869.4(471.3) kcal, p= 0.004) and lower anthropometric measurements but these were not significantly different– height-for-age (did not miss -0.85(2.0) vrs missed -1.2(2.3). Anaemia prevalence was high among children (66.3%). Child welfare clinic attendance and caloric intake were the most important predictors of stunting. Conclusions Findings from this study revealed that the covid-19 restriction period was associated with a decline in child welfare clinic attendance, vitamin A supplementation and vaccination. The study showed that children who missed CWC during the covid-19 restriction era were more likely to have nutrient consumption below recommended levels. High prevalence of stunting and anaemia exist among children. Frequent nutrition education, nutrition surveillances and provision of micronutrient powders can help mitigate malnutrition among children.

show abstract

COVID-19 lockdown implementation in Ghana: lessons learned and hurdles to overcome

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

COVID-19 testing: A qualitative study exploring enablers and barriers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

COVID-19 testing: A qualitative study exploring enablers and barriers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among women in two regions of Ghana: A qualitative study

Child welfare clinic attendance during the COVID-19 restriction era and the nutritional status of children

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About