TY - JOUR
AU - Sanya, Richard E.
AU - Karugu, Caroline H.
AU - Binyaruka, Peter
AU - Mohamed, Shukri F.
AU - Kisia, Lyagamula
AU - Kibe, Peter
AU - Mashasi, Irene
AU - Mhalu, Grace
AU - Bunn, Christopher
AU - Deidda, Manuela
AU - Mair, Frances S.
AU - Grieve, Eleanor
AU - Gray, Cindy M.
AU - Mtenga, Sally M.
AU - Asiki, Gershim
PY - 2024
DA - May
TI - Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on type 2 diabetes care and factors associated with care disruption in Kenya and Tanzania
JO - Global Health Action
VL - 17
IS - 1
DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2024.2345970
AB - Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare delivery globally, impacting care access and delivery of essential services. Objectives: We investigated the pandemic’s impact on care for patients with type 2 diabetes and factors associated with care disruption in Kenya and Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults diagnosed with diabetes pre-COVID-19. Data were collected in February–April 2022 reflecting experiences at two time-points, three months before and the three months most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A questionnaire captured data on blood glucose testing, changes in medication prescription and access, and healthcare provider access. Results: We recruited 1000 participants (500/country). Diabetes care was disrupted in both countries, with 34.8% and 32.8% of the participants reporting change in place and frequency of testing in Kenya, respectively. In Tanzania, 12.4% and 17.8% reported changes in location and frequency of glucose testing, respectively. The number of health facility visits declined, 14.4% (p &lt; 0.001) in Kenya and 5.6% (p = 0.001) in Tanzania. In Kenya, there was a higher likelihood of severe care disruption among insured patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI][1.05–2.34]; p = 0.029) and a lower likelihood among patients residing in rural areas (aOR, 0.35[95%CI, 0.22–0.58]; p &lt; 0.001). Tanzania had a lower likelihood of severe disruption among insured patients (aOR, 0.51[95%CI, 0.33–0.79]; p = 0.003) but higher likelihood among patients with low economic status (aOR, 1.81[95%CI, 1.14–2.88]; p = 0.011). Conclusions: COVID-19 disrupted diabetes care more in Kenya than Tanzania. Health systems and emergency preparedness should be strengthened to ensure continuity of service provision for patients with diabetes.
PB - Taylor and Francis
UR - https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/326674/
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
ER