Assessing the effects of Covid 19 induced lockdowns on health facility-based growth monitoring of children under the age of 5 in Mutare District

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of Covid 19 induced lockdowns on health facility based growth monitoring rates for children under the age of 5 years in mutare District. The objectives of this study were to assess the growth monitoring rates before the Covid 19 pandemic in Mutare district, to assess the growth monitoring rates during the Covid 19 pandemic from April 1 2020, to March 31 2022, in Mutare District, to analyse a relationship between Covid 19 pandemic and health facility-based growth monitoring in Mutare District and to suggest recommendations and strategies that will address the problem as inspired by the research findings. In the process, the researcher intended to prove his hypothesis that there was a causal and effect relationship of Covid 19 pandemic induced lockdowns on health facility based growth monitoring of children under the age of 5 years in Mutare District. Quantitative research method was the research design of choice and data collection was gathered using questionnaires for health care workers, community health workers (VHWs) and mothers / caregivers. Secondary data was also retreaved from Ministry of Health and Child Care District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2). Results of this enquiry were presented and analysed using Microsoft Excel package. The the results indicated that growth monitoring rates declined by between 5% and 89% and these health facilities constituited 27 (69%) out of a total of 39 health facilities. According to the research findings, 17% (7) health facilities suffered a decline of more tha 50%. These statistical reach rates were distinctively indicative of a decline from the month when the famous 21 days hard lockdown was declared on the 30th of March 2020. The trend then was that cases started to gain steadly but mainly within the lower ranges as compared from the periods before Covid 19. A linear regression analysis confirmied the hypothesis. The research recommended that the health system needs to step up epidemic or pandemic response mechanisims by ensuring that response activities are more comprehensive and are also done while at the same time mitigating potential new epidemics or pandemics the could complicate the current problem at the time worsening of the community situation