Patients’ Perceptions of Hospital Care in a Covid-19 Pandemic Population
Okechwukwu Felix Erondu *
Department of Radiography and Radiation Sciences, Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
Michael Promise Ogolodom
Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Awajimijan Nathaniel Mbaba
Department of Radiology, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Aniebo Nonyelum
Radiology Department, National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 pandemic was associated with pandemonium and misinformation, affecting patients' health-seeking behavior. This study was designed to explore patients' perceptions of hospital care during this period and to provide evidence-based and appropriate public health planning strategies.
Materials and Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 155 patients using 22 items structured and self-completion questionnaires to determine (A) Socio-demographic variables, (B) Knowledge and perception of the disease, and (C) The participants’ behaviors towards COVID-19. A Hardcopy version of the questionnaire was administered to the respondents by direct issuance.
Results: 103(66.45%) of the respondents knew the cause of COVID-19, while 104 (67.09%) agreed that people can be infected with COVID-19 in the hospital. 84 (54.19%) were afraid of a hospital visit and 66 (42.58%) are unwilling to self-report if they have minor symptoms. A large number 43(27.74%) perceived a clean environment as the impetus to make them comfortable in the hospital.
Conclusion: Our study illuminates gaps in the patients’ perceptions of hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted negatively on the patient population as they avoided hospitalization for fear of contracting COVID-19 in the hospital. Furthermore, appropriate public health strategies can improve patients’ perceptions and health-seeking behavior in a pandemic period.
Keywords: COVID-19, patients’ perception of hospital care, pandemic.