Impact of COVID-19 on Essential Health Care of Rural People in Northern Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has an unpredicted effect on global society. The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of COVID-19 on rural people’s access to health care in Northern Bangladesh.

Methods: A cross-sectional community-based design was used. Data were collected from four different districts in the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions using the multistage sampling technique. A pre-tested semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection. SPSS version 25 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results: Among 639 respondents, 59.5% were female, and 40.5% were male. The mean age was 34.3 years (SD ±10). The family income ceiling was reduced to -15.6% for incomes between $10,000 and $20,000, and -12.7% for incomes between $20,000 and $30,000. Because 38.2% of respondents’ income was reduced during COVID-19, they now fall into the income category of ≤10,000 Bangladeshi Taka. Due to a lack of transportation, 41.7% of respondents never sought medical attention. During the COVID-19 period, respondents reported physical illness (24.4%), severe stress problems/mental illness (39.2%), and either injuries or urgent health problems (3.8%). The percentage of respondents who did not seek medical attention because they were afraid of becoming infected with COVID-19 was 30.3%. The majority of respondents, 67.3% (n=188), stated that they were unable to locate any maternal and child health care institutions.

Conclusion and Implications for Translation: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption in the delivery of essential health services. To address future COVID-19 outbreaks and similar pandemics, the government and private sector must work together, as well as global collaboration.