Onana, Yannick and Tambe, Joshua and Aminou, Mohamadou and Mvondo, Samuel Mbozo’o and Ndongo, Francis Ateba and Amougou, Jean Claude Mballa and Amvene, Jeremie Mbo and Guena, Mathurin Neossi and Onana, Harvey and Moifo, Boniface and Mboudou, Emile Telesphore (2022) Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patient Attendance and Trends in the Use of Medical Imaging Modalities in a Referral Hospital in the City of Douala, Cameroon. Open Journal of Medical Imaging, 12 (01). pp. 16-24. ISSN 2164-2788
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Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive influx of patients with suspected or confirmed flu to hospitals, paradoxically leading to a decrease in the attendance for some services. This study aspired to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attendance of patients at the Radiology and Medical Imaging Department of a tertiary hospital in Douala, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, retrospective and descriptive hospital-based study. Data on patient attendance was extracted from the medical records at the Radiology Unit of Douala Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (DGOPH) between the 1st of March 2019 and the 30th of August 2021. Results: There was a drop in the number of sonographies and conventional radiographies by 25.73% and 18.26% respectively during the peaks pandemic period of 2020 compared to the preceding pre-pandemic era (2019). There was a recovery in 2021 as the numbers increased. Computed tomography studies increased by 40.65% during the peak pandemic period of 2020. Conclusion: This study enables us to understand the health-seeking behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in CT utilization during the peak period of the pandemic nevertheless required caution in order to ensure safety and to promote rational cost-effective utilization.
Item Type: | Article |
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Subjects: | Open Archive Press > Medical Science |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email support@openarchivepress.com |
Date Deposited: | 24 Mar 2023 07:46 |
Last Modified: | 12 Aug 2024 10:20 |
URI: | http://library.2pressrelease.co.in/id/eprint/750 |