THE ROLE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN CURTAINING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the role of primary health care services in curtaining the spread of Covid-19 in Ogun State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of survey type was used. Using simple random sampling technique, a total of 60 primary health workers were chosen from Ado-Odo Ota, Ikenne and Imeko Afon local government areas of Ogun State.. The researchers developed Questionnaire tagged: Primary Health Care Services and Covid-19 Questionnaire (PHCSCQQ) with reliability coefficient 0.85 was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics of mean was used for analyzing research questions. Hypotheses were tested using t-test at .05 significance level. Findings of the study revealed that primary health care services could  help reduces rate of Covid-19 spreading through sensitization model of operation, creating community awareness and detection and responses to suspected cases. The study further revealed that primary health care system are the closest health care providers to the community and as such, play a critical role in curtailing community transmission of Covid-19. It was recommended that primary health care facilities should at all times, be prepared with the right number and mix of health workers, the right commodities and supply as well as the right clinic setting  to provide services as required by patients while adhering to measures that will guarantee health worker safety and protection, active detection of suspected cases of Covid-19, timely response to suspected cases and prevention of spread amongst patients.