{
    "abstract": "Multisystemic complications post-COVID-19 infection are increasingly described in the literature, yet guidance on the management remains limited.\nThis study aimed to assess the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms. Based on this, we aimed to develop a context-adapted intervention to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals with post-COVID-19 complications.\nWe conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods situation analysis assessing the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms. We collected data through questionnaires, semistructured in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) from individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous 18-month period and health care providers who managed patients with COVID-19 in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics, qualitative data were transcribed, and deductive analysis focused on suggestions for future interventions. Findings guided the development of a group intervention.\nWe conducted 60 questionnaires, 13 interviews, and 3 FGDs. Questionnaires showed limited knowledge of post-COVID-19 complications at 26.7% (16/60). Of those who received any rehabilitation for COVID-19 (19/60, 31.7%), 94.7% (18/19) found it helpful for their recovery. Just over half (23/41, 56%) of those who did not receive rehabilitation reported that they would have liked to. The majority viewed rehabilitation as an important adjunct to post-COVID-19 care (56/60, 93.3%) and that support groups would be helpful (53/60, 88.3%). Qualitative results highlighted the need for mental health support, structured post-COVID-19 follow-up, and financial aid in post-COVID-19 care. Based on the insights from the situation analysis, the theory of change framework, and existing post-COVID-19 evidence, we designed and conducted a pilot support group and rehabilitation intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 complications. Our main objective was to assess the change in physical and psychological well-being pre- and postintervention. The intervention included 8 weekly themed group sessions supplemented by home tasks. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by questionnaires pre- and postintervention on post-COVID-19 symptoms, quality of life with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and physical function by spirometry and 1-minute sit-to-stand test. We also assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by questionnaires and semistructured in-depth interviews. The intervention outcome analysis is yet to be conducted.\nInsights from patients and health care providers on the characteristics of post-COVID-19 complications helped guide the development of a context-adapted intervention program with potential to improve health and well-being post-COVID-19.",
    "authors": [
        {
            "affiliation": "Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, 27 72 277 2261.",
            "firstname": "Nicole Audrey",
            "initials": "NA",
            "lastname": "Glover"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, 27 72 277 2261.",
            "firstname": "Farzana",
            "initials": "F",
            "lastname": "Sathar"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, 27 72 277 2261.",
            "firstname": "Pride",
            "initials": "P",
            "lastname": "Mokome"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, 27 72 277 2261.",
            "firstname": "Nkululeko",
            "initials": "N",
            "lastname": "Mathabela"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, 27 72 277 2261.",
            "firstname": "Sipokazi",
            "initials": "S",
            "lastname": "Taleni"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Department of Internal Medicine, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.",
            "firstname": "Sarah Alexandra",
            "initials": "SA",
            "lastname": "van Blydenstein"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit\u00e4t University Hospital, Munich, Germany.",
            "firstname": "Anna-Maria",
            "initials": "AM",
            "lastname": "Mekota"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa, 27 72 277 2261.\nSchool of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.",
            "firstname": "Salome",
            "initials": "S",
            "lastname": "Charalambous"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit\u00e4t University Hospital, Munich, Germany.\nGerman Research Centre for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum M\u00fcnchen, Unit Global Health, Neuherberg, Germany.\nGerman Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.",
            "firstname": "Andrea",
            "initials": "A",
            "lastname": "Rachow"
        },
        {
            "affiliation": "Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit\u00e4t University Hospital, Munich, Germany.\nGerman Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany.",
            "firstname": "Olena",
            "initials": "O",
            "lastname": "Ivanova"
        }
    ],
    "conclusions": null,
    "copyrights": "\u00a9 Nicole Audrey Glover, Farzana Sathar, Pride Mokome, Nkululeko Mathabela, Sipokazi Taleni, Sarah Alexandra van Blydenstein, Anna-Maria Mekota, Salome Charalambous, Andrea Rachow, Olena Ivanova. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org).",
    "doi": "10.2196/58436\n10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28568\n10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101762\n10.1038/s41598-021-95565-8\n10.1001/jama.2022.18931\n10.1186/s13643-023-02250-0\n10.1016/j.autrev.2021.102947\n10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00239-4\n10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055989\n10.1093/cid/ciab352\n10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00286-8\n10.1016/S2352-3018(21)00151-X\n10.1186/s43168-020-00049-4\n10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00169-2\n10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31823-7\n10.1177/0300060520948382\n10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101166\n10.1177/02692155211036956\n10.2196/41410\n10.1097/HCR.0000000000000436\n10.1111/resp.13582\n10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000862\n10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01685-9\n10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00114-0\n10.1186/1471-2458-10-800\n10.1016/j.jrp.2007.11.003\n10.1080/09515070.2015.1007444\n10.1097/MLR.0000000000001664\n10.1007/978-1-4419-9893-4_35\n10.1016/j.rmed.2017.05.003\n10.1136/bmj.h1258\n10.1080/09540121.2012.729808\n10.11604/pamj.2021.38.129.26311",
    "journal": "JMIR formative research",
    "keywords": [
        "COVID-19",
        "South Africa",
        "context-adapted",
        "cross-sectional",
        "focus group",
        "group care",
        "health care workers",
        "health worker",
        "hospital",
        "in-depth",
        "intervention",
        "interviews",
        "mental health",
        "mixed method",
        "patients",
        "physical health",
        "pilot",
        "post\u2013COVID-19",
        "qualitative",
        "quality of life",
        "quantitative",
        "questionnaire",
        "rehabilitation",
        "situation analysis",
        "support",
        "support group",
        "survey",
        "well-being"
    ],
    "methods": null,
    "publication_date": "2025-04-10",
    "pubmed_id": "40209024\n34643720\n36474804\n34373540\n36215063\n37245047\n34509649\n37475125\n35501077\n33912905\n35961348\n34363789\n35714658\n32861312\n32840156\n33555768\n32379637\n34344230\n36166651\n31348127\n31099164\n33664124\n37652071\n35597249\n21194466\n34812790\n28610673\n25791983\n23061894\n33912299",
    "results": "We conducted 60 questionnaires, 13 interviews, and 3 FGDs. Questionnaires showed limited knowledge of post-COVID-19 complications at 26.7% (16/60). Of those who received any rehabilitation for COVID-19 (19/60, 31.7%), 94.7% (18/19) found it helpful for their recovery. Just over half (23/41, 56%) of those who did not receive rehabilitation reported that they would have liked to. The majority viewed rehabilitation as an important adjunct to post-COVID-19 care (56/60, 93.3%) and that support groups would be helpful (53/60, 88.3%). Qualitative results highlighted the need for mental health support, structured post-COVID-19 follow-up, and financial aid in post-COVID-19 care. Based on the insights from the situation analysis, the theory of change framework, and existing post-COVID-19 evidence, we designed and conducted a pilot support group and rehabilitation intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 complications. Our main objective was to assess the change in physical and psychological well-being pre- and postintervention. The intervention included 8 weekly themed group sessions supplemented by home tasks. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by questionnaires pre- and postintervention on post-COVID-19 symptoms, quality of life with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and physical function by spirometry and 1-minute sit-to-stand test. We also assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by questionnaires and semistructured in-depth interviews. The intervention outcome analysis is yet to be conducted.",
    "title": "Improving Health and Well-Being of People With Post-COVID-19 Consequences in South Africa: Situation Analysis and Pilot Intervention Design.",
    "xml": "<Element 'PubmedArticle' at 0x788502f3e700>"
}