Disposition of health-care workers toward hospital patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization declared health-care workers “the last line of defense against the COVID-19 pandemic.” Against this backdrop, this study investigated the state, responses, and attitudes of health-care workers toward hospital patients during the pandemic in Nigeria, alongside the attitudes of patients and the responsibilities of Nigerian social workers in ensuring adequate patient care. Employing a descriptive research design, the study sampled 17 respondents from Enugu State and utilized a qualitative research approach with an in-depth interview guide for data collection. The findings revealed that Nigerian healthcare workers exhibited a negative attitude toward hospital patients during the pandemic. Factors contributing to this negative attitude include fear of contracting the virus due to inadequate personal protective equipment, lack of incentives, insufficient hazard allowances, and inadequate hospital facilities. The death rate of patients with complications unrelated to COVID-19 was high because patients avoided hospital care even when critically ill due to fear of contracting the virus. Consequently, there was an increase in self-medication and reliance on alternative medicine among patients. Social workers played a significant role by advocating for improved hospital care and welfare for patients. They engaged in dialogue with hospital management to secure better attention and treatment for patients and advocated for adequate welfare provision for health-care workers. Social workers undertook educational initiatives to raise awareness among patients about the dangers of alternative medicine, self-medication, and the imperativeness of complying with the stipulated COVID-19 preventive protocol. In conclusion, this study recommends policy reforms aimed at enhancing budgetary allocations to the health-care sector and institutionalizing the social work profession in Nigeria through constitutional provisions.