The Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Management Services in the Primary Health Care System in Iran Publisher



Afkar M¹ ; Asl PR² ; Hezaveh AM¹ ; Akrami F³ ; Riaziisfahani S⁴ ; Peykari N⁵ ; Payab M⁶ ; Moghisi A¹ ; Yousefi E¹ ; Ranjbar M⁷ ; Nejad MS⁷ ; Hamelmann C⁸ ; Slama S⁹ ; Tabrizi JS¹⁰ Show All Authors
Source: Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences Published:2021

Abstract

Background and Aim: Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the provision of non-communicable disease prevention and management services in many countries and there is a concern that this disorder will lead to long-term complications of these diseases. This study aimed to quantitatively analyze the status of some prevention and management services of non-communicable diseases in the primary health care system of Iran during the Covid-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: In this study, the routine data of 8 services related to the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases in the integrated electronic health record system (SIB) within 10 months after the outbreak of Covid-19 were compared to the same period last year. Results: Non-communicable disease prevention and management services decreased by an average of 18.89% compared to the same period last year; this decrease was much more at the beginning of the epidemic period (up to 75% in some services) and more in the services provided by physicians than in the services provided by non-physicians. Also, observation of the course of selected services during this period showed that after the initial reduction of services, a process of gradual compensation was evident. Conclusion: like other areas involved in the pandemic, the effect of the Covid-19 epidemic on non-communicable disease prevention and management services in the primary health care system of Iran was significant. Although partial compensation of some services was promising, more attention and effort is needed to revive the other programs. © 2018 the Author (s).