P-318 Perception of local health functionaries regarding the impact of COVID-19 on health-seeking behavior of presumptive tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tricity, Chandigarh, India

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2023-03, Vol.80 (Suppl 1), p.A97-A97
• Main Authors: Goel, Naveen Krishan, Dhiman, Shivani, Prashar, Savita, Rana, Kirtan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Data collection; Disruption; Health care; Health care facilities; Health services; Manpower; Mixed methods research; Pandemics; Patients; Perception; Public health; Qualitative analysis; Tuberculosis
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/OEM-2023-EPICOH.240

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected every domain of human life globally and has presented an unprecedented challenge to public health, the food system, work, education, and social life. The healthcare services were prioritized and thus many ongoing important Healthcare services were indirectly affected by that. The current study assumed the perception of Healthcare functionaries regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the health-seeking behavior of presumptive TB patients in tri-city (Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali).MethodsA concurrent mixed method study design was conducted among 100 randomly selected healthcare functionaries from public health facilities in Tri-city (Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali). The data was collected using a self-structured and validated questionnaire. A one-to-one method was adopted for collecting data and analysis was done with SPSS V24 both qualitative (frequencies, Chi-square, odd ratio) and quantitative (themes) approaches.ResultAmong 100 respondents 62% participants responded that there was a disruption of the normal functioning of testing and treatment of the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). The logistics and manpower were shifted to COVID-19 management and these were not available routinely for the proper functioning of NTEP. Testing of PTB patients was mostly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The in-depth interview found that factors like social stigma, downplaying of TB disease, and the knowledge about TB were the reasons behind the disruption of PTB services. The health functionaries also give suggestions for the betterment of PTB services if these kinds of pandemics arise in future.ConclusionHaving National Programs such as NTEP should be not kept back foot while dealing with the pandemic, as Tuberculosis is considered to be one of the greatest challenge for Health System and human beings.