The Impact of COVID 19 Precautionary Measures on Management of Chronic Disease Patients Following in Primary Health Care Centers Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2020

Abstract

Purpose: Since the declaration of the wide and progressive spread of COVID-19 as a pandemic, the health systems worldwide are facing challenges in the balance between applying recommended precautionary measures for COVID-19, while maintain providing essential routine health care to other groups like chronic diseases' patients. The current study aims to explore impact of precautionary measures of COVID-19 on chronic diseases' patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
 Methodology: Through an analytical cross-sectional study; a representative sample of chronic diseases' patients were selected randomly from primary health care centers in Jeddah. They were invited to respond to a valid questionnaire designed to collect data about the impact of Covid 19 pandemic measures on chronic diseases’ patients. The questionnaire is adapted from valid published questionnaires conceptualized around the impact of Covid 19 measures on chronic patients. Chi-square test was used to identify association between the health status and the independent variables. P-value <0.05 was considered as an indication for significance. 
 Results: Out of all respondents (n=386) there was almost equal distribution of females (52.3%) and males (47.7%), and remarkable dominance of Saudis (91.7%); two thirds (62.7%) reported one chronic disease while the rest had two or more diseases. Considerable proportions faced difficulties in medical appointments (43.8%), reaching physicians (30.1%) and obtaining medicines (16.6%) during the pandemic. The health status of 23.3% became worse; especially among those with low income (46.4%), those who needed emergency care (57.1%) and all who did not get it p<0.005.
 Conclusion and recommendations: The precautionary measures of COVID-19 have an impact on the care, health status of chronic diseases' patients. Efforts should be made to plan for innovative measures to ensure providing essential health care to chronic diseases' patients during pandemics.