Health Centers’ Preparedness for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, 2020

Abstract

Background COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two (SARS-CoV-2). Preparedness of health facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is an immediate priority to safeguard patients and healthcare workers and to reduce the spread of the pandemic. However, the preparedness of health centers in south Wollo zone is unknown. Objective To assess the preparedness of Health Centers for COVID-19 in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, 2020. Methods Health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among forty-six Health Centers in South Wollo zone in August 2020. The sampled health centers were selected by lottery method. The data was collected from the manager of the health centers using a pretested interviewer-administered and observational checklist. The ReadyScore criteria was used to classify the level of preparedness, in which health centers with a score of >80%, 40–80%, and <40% were considered as better prepared, work to do, and not ready, respectively. Results In this study, the median score of health centers preparedness for COVID-19 was 70.3 ± 21.6 interquartile ranges with a minimum score of 40.5 and the maximum score of 83.8. Only 12 (26.1%) of the health centers were prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority (73.9%) of the health centers were found within the group of “work to do”. Conversely, none of the health centers were found within the “not ready” or below group. Conclusion This study concluded that the preparedness status of the majority of health centers in South Wollo Zone was within the “work to do” group. Therefore, the local government and other concerned bodies should monitor and support health centers to increase their preparedness and to build their capacity.

Attitude, preparedness, and perceived self-efficacy in controlling COVID-19 pandemics and associated factors among university students during school reopening

“…Students are probably careless and reluctant because of fewer deaths confirmed in Ethiopia. However, this outcome was lower than 26.1% in South Wollo [ 21 ], 54% in North Shoa [ 22 ], and 41.3% in Gondar [ 10 ]. The variation may account for the differences in the target population, study period, outcome measurement, and sample size.…”

Preparedness of Public Hospitals for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Lahore District, Pakistan

“…The public hospitals' preparedness score was 129 ± 32, which is better than the mean score of health care facilities of Ethiopia where the mean score was 70.3 ± 21.6 [17]. In the same study, it was concluded that 73.9% of the health centers still had insufficiencies and fell in the "work to do" category; conversely, the score of no health facility fell below this [17]. Zia and his colleagues predicted poor performance of the local health system during the crisis, pertaining to sub-standard execution of the coordination, operational and procedural aspects [18].…”

“…Tiruneh and his colleague showed that 37.5% of hospitals in North-West Ethiopia had an 'unacceptable' level of preparedness, 12.5% had an acceptable level, and the remaining 50% of hospitals had insufficient levels of preparedness [7]. The public hospitals' preparedness score was 129 ± 32, which is better than the mean score of health care facilities of Ethiopia where the mean score was 70.3 ± 21.6 [17]. In the same study, it was concluded that 73.9% of the health centers still had insufficiencies and fell in the "work to do" category; conversely, the score of no health facility fell below this [17].…”

“…The hospitals that outperformed others were covering these aspects. Ayele et al showed better results where 78.3% of hospitals had a focal person and emergency committees but Tiruneh et al,'s results showed that only one hospital out of eight had an 'acceptable' level of preparedness in D7 [7,17]. However, hospitals still performed better keeping in mind that Pakistan ranked 98th among 195 in GHS for the detection category [5].…”

Fear of COVID-19 and poor accessibility of comprehensive care has caused delay in initiation of antenatal care among pregnant women in Southwest Ethiopia: the need for disaster resilient and accessible maternal health care

“… 27 This may be due to the low preparedness of health centers to cope with the changing realities during emergencies like COVID-19, as only 26% of facilities in Ethiopia were deemed prepared to cope with the disease and the preventive principles of COVID-19 might not be practiced properly. 28 Fear of getting the infection due to physical proximity may have also limited the readiness of women to go for health care early. 29 …”