Effect of COVID-19 induced lockdown on diabetic patients in General Hospital Abaji-Abuja

Abstract

Greater restrictions on movements during lockdown, for people in vulnerable health category have affected access to health care and the way people have been able to manage their conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 induced lockdown on diabetic health. The study is a cross-sectional retrospective study that was carried out at the General Hospital Abaji-Abuja. Data was collected from the patients’ medical record using a selfdesigned data collection form, developed from WHO indicators to measure diabetic health. Anthropometric and clinical data such as weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Blood Pressure (BP), lipid profile, and comorbidities were collected. Patterns of medications used, were also retrieved from the patients’ record. These data were recorded, for before and during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. All data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS 20). The Body Mass Index (BMI) of the patients showed a statistically significant difference of P < 0.05; indicating poor dietary compliance and lack of physical activity during the lockdown. A greater percentage (90.5%), of patients had uncontrolled blood sugar levels during the lockdown as against pre-lockdown period (82.9%). Access to healthcare reduced drastically with 6.7% and 1.9% able to visit the clinic for 3 and 4 times during the lockdown, compared to 28.6% and 10.5% clinic visits before the lockdown. Conclusively, lockdown policies established to avoid further spread of the coronavirus favored deterioration of control in people living with diabetes.