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Improving health and well-being of people with post-COVID-19 consequences in South Africa: Situation analysis and pilot intervention design.
JMIR Form. Res. 9:e58436 (2025)
BACKGROUND: Multisystemic complications post-COVID-19 infection are increasingly described in the literature, yet guidance on the management remains limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms. Based on this, we aimed to develop a context-adapted intervention to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals with post-COVID-19 complications. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods situation analysis assessing the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms. We collected data through questionnaires, semistructured in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) from individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous 18-month period and health care providers who managed patients with COVID-19 in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics, qualitative data were transcribed, and deductive analysis focused on suggestions for future interventions. Findings guided the development of a group intervention. RESULTS: We conducted 60 questionnaires, 13 interviews, and 3 FGDs. Questionnaires showed limited knowledge of post-COVID-19 complications at 26.7% (16/60). Of those who received any rehabilitation for COVID-19 (19/60, 31.7%), 94.7% (18/19) found it helpful for their recovery. Just over half (23/41, 56%) of those who did not receive rehabilitation reported that they would have liked to. The majority viewed rehabilitation as an important adjunct to post-COVID-19 care (56/60, 93.3%) and that support groups would be helpful (53/60, 88.3%). Qualitative results highlighted the need for mental health support, structured post-COVID-19 follow-up, and financial aid in post-COVID-19 care. Based on the insights from the situation analysis, the theory of change framework, and existing post-COVID-19 evidence, we designed and conducted a pilot support group and rehabilitation intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 complications. Our main objective was to assess the change in physical and psychological well-being pre- and postintervention. The intervention included 8 weekly themed group sessions supplemented by home tasks. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by questionnaires pre- and postintervention on post-COVID-19 symptoms, quality of life with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and physical function by spirometry and 1-minute sit-to-stand test. We also assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by questionnaires and semistructured in-depth interviews. The intervention outcome analysis is yet to be conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Insights from patients and health care providers on the characteristics of post-COVID-19 complications helped guide the development of a context-adapted intervention program with potential to improve health and well-being post-COVID-19.
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Publication type
Article: Journal article
Document type
Scientific Article
Keywords
Covid-19 ; South Africa ; Context-adapted ; Cross-sectional ; Focus Group ; Group Care ; Health Care Workers ; Health Worker ; Hospital ; In-depth ; Intervention ; Interviews ; Mental Health ; Mixed Method ; Patients ; Physical Health ; Pilot ; Post–covid-19 ; Qualitative ; Quality Of Life ; Quantitative ; Questionnaire ; Rehabilitation ; Situation Analysis ; Support ; Support Group ; Survey ; Well-being
ISSN (print) / ISBN
2561-326X
e-ISSN
2561-326X
Journal
JMIR Formative Research
Quellenangaben
Volume: 9,
Article Number: e58436
Publisher
JMIR Publications
Non-patent literature
Publications
Institute(s)
Research Unit Global Health (UGH)