The impact of COVID-19 on primary health care and antibiotic prescribing in rural China: qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In China, the primary health care (PHC) system has been designated responsible for control and prevention of COVID-19, but not treatment. Suspected COVID-19 cases presenting to PHC facilities must be transferred to specialist fever clinics. This study aims to understand the impact of COVID-19 on PHC delivery and on antibiotic prescribing at a community level in rural areas of central China.

Methods

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 PHC practitioners and seven patients recruited from two township health centres and nine village clinics in two rural residential areas of Anhui province. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

PHC practitioners reported a major shift in their work away from seeing and

SUBMITTER: Zhang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8490966 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature