EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN ON CLINIC ATTENDANCE OF DIABETICS IN IFE-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Background: Diabetes represents one of the conditions that renders patient vulnerable and significantly increases morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to examine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on patients with Diabetes mellitus in Ife-East local government area of Osun-State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved the use of medical records of diabetic patients who attended the clinic of Osun-State Hospitals Management Board Free Health Services (OSHMBFHS) in Ife-East local government area of the State, between the months of January to December, 2020 which period covered the pre pandemic, intra-pandemic and post pandemic periods, these records were gotten to harness the relevant information of patients. The patients were Nigerian citizens across Ife-East local government area between the ages of 18 and 80 years. A total number of 10,195 patients’ records were employed for the study. Data included both independent and dependent variables which were generated from the medical records obtained from OSHMBFHS. Results: The result showed that out of a total number of 10,195 patients seen over a period of one year from January to December, 204 (2%) were diabetic; out of which 41(20.1%) were males while 163 (79.9%) were females. In the month of January before the lockdown 25 (12.3%) diabetic patients attended clinic, in February (19) (9.3%), March (17) (8.3%), April (7) (3.5%), May (8) (3.9%), June (15) (7.4%), July (16) (7.8%), August (25) (12.3%), September (18) (8.8%), October (16) (7.8%), November (21) (10.3%), December (17) (8.3%). Discussion: Diabetes and its emergencies during the COVID-19 lockdown were found to be very significantly increased due to reduced clinic attendance which was occasioned by government restriction order on movements. The correlation between male and female diabetics showed that female recorded higher level of attendance when compared with the male counterparts. There were more (80%) patients of Yoruba ethnic group attending clinic in the chart, which was chiefly a reflection of the study area. The Islamic group has the highest percentage (45%) of clinic attendance over the year of study compared to other religion groups, followed by the Christian religion (38%) while others have the lowest (6%) clinic attendance. Also, the highest number of attendees were in the 61-70 years of age groups, appreciable number of diabetic patients in the study population were left unattended, during the COVID-19 lockdown with some unable to access health facilities probably due to the restriction on clinic appointments even in diabetic emergency. Conclusion: This study concluded that COVID-19 lockdown had adverse effects on the clinic attendance of the diabetic patients during the pandemic year, which further increased the morbidity and mortality of already vulnerable diabetic sufferers. The effect of the pandemic and its restriction to movement is a double tragedy on the susceptible diabetic patients in this study area.