Hannah Gannon, Elizabeth Chappell, Deborah Ford, Diana M Gibb, Anesu Chimwaza, Ngoni Manika, Catherine J Wedderburn, Zivai Mupambireyi Nenguke, Frances M Cowan, Tom Gibb, Andrew Phillips, Angela Mushavi, Felicity Fitzgerald, Michelle Heys, Simbarashe Chimhuya, Mutsa Bwakura-Dangarembizi
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has globally impacted health service access, delivery and resources. There are limited data regarding the impact on the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) service delivery in low-resource settings. Neotree ( www.neotree.org ) combines data collection, clinical decision support and education to improve care for neonates. Here we evaluate impacts of COVID-19 on care for HIV-exposed neonates. METHODS: Data on HIV-exposed neonates admitted to the neonatal unit (NNU) at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Zimbabwe, between 01/06/2019 and 31/12/2021 were analysed, with pandemic start defined as 21/03/2020 and periods of industrial action (doctors (September 2019-January 2020) and nurses (June 2020-September 2020)) included, resulting in modelling during six time periods: pre-doctors' strike (baseline); doctors' strike; post-doctors' strike and pre-COVID; COVID and pre-nurses' strike; nurses' strike; post nurses' strike...
January 5, 2024: BMC Pediatrics