COVID-19: Challenges and coping strategies in radiology departments in Nigeria

Olubukola A Omidiji; Omolola Mojisola Atalabi; Elizabeth A Idowu; Aderemi Ishola; Omodele A Olowoyeye; Adeleye Dorcas Omisore; KC Eze; Muhammad S Ahmadu; Ngozi R Dim; Ismail Anas; Adaobi C Ilo; Sidikat A T. Ayodele; Feyisayo Yvonne Daji; Abdulsalam M Yidi; Olubukola Khadija Ajiboye; Kamaldeen O Jimoh; Oluyemisi O Toyobo; Ayesan M Onuwaje; Nicholas Kayode Irurhe; Adekunle O Adeyomoye; Rachael A Akinola; Rasheed Ajani Arogundade

doi:10.4103/aam.aam_76_21

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Year : 2022 | Volume : 21 | Issue : 1 | Page : 71-76

COVID-19: Challenges and coping strategies in radiology departments in Nigeria

Olubukola A Omidiji¹, Omolola Mojisola Atalabi², Elizabeth A Idowu², Aderemi Ishola³, Omodele A Olowoyeye¹, Adeleye Dorcas Omisore⁴, KC Eze⁵, Muhammad S Ahmadu⁶, Ngozi R Dim⁷, Ismail Anas⁸, Adaobi C Ilo⁷, Sidikat A T. Ayodele⁹, Feyisayo Yvonne Daji¹⁰, Abdulsalam M Yidi¹⁰, Olubukola Khadija Ajiboye¹¹, Kamaldeen O Jimoh¹⁰, Oluyemisi O Toyobo¹², Ayesan M Onuwaje¹³, Nicholas Kayode Irurhe¹, Adekunle O Adeyomoye¹, Rachael A Akinola⁹, Rasheed Ajani Arogundade¹
¹ Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Nigeria
² Department of Radiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
³ Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
⁴ Department of Radiology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
⁵ Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria
⁶ Department of Radiology, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
⁷ Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku Ozalla Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
⁸ Department of Radiology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
⁹ Department of Radiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Nigeria
¹⁰ Department of Radiology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
¹¹ Department of Radiology, Cedarcrest Hospitals, Warri, Nigeria
¹² Department of Radiology, Crestview Radiology, Lagos, Nigeria
¹³ Department of Radiology, Lily Hospitals, Warri, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Omolola Mojisola Atalabi
Department of Radiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State
Nigeria

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/aam.aam_76_21

Context: COVID-19 came suddenly, bringing to the fore the challenges inherent in the health system. In a developing country, such as Nigeria, which already had myriad problems with funds and equipment in the health sector. Aims: This study aims to examine the challenges encountered by the staff in Radiology facilities and how they combated the challenges. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study of radiology facilities in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: Radiologists from nine government and four private facilities who attended to COVID-19 patients were asked to fill questionnaires on challenges faced and their coping strategies. Responses were sent through E-mail. Statistical Analysis Used: Data from the responses were analyzed using Microsoft excel for Mac 2011 and presented as figures and tables. Results: Majority of the government 7 (77.8%) and private facilities 4 (100%) had no equipment dedicated only to COVID-19 patients. Seven (77.8%) government facilities complained of inadequate staff, poor availability of personal protective equipment (PPEs) 8 (88.9%), and lack of technology for remote viewing 7 (77.8%). Fear of cross-infection was a challenge in one of the facilities 1 (11.1%). Coping strategies adopted include ensuring less traffic in the department by discouraging walk-in patients and canceling non-emergent cases, booking suspected/confirmed cases for lighter times, using old film for face shields and cloth for facemasks, staff education on COVID-19 and preventive measures, and sending reports to physicians through E-mail. Conclusions: There were a lot of challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, with government hospitals experiencing more challenges than private facilities. The challenges included among others inadequate staff strength and lack of technology for remote viewing. Some were overcome using education and by production of facemasks/shields production using recycled materials.

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