Bernnedine S Smaghi1, Julie Collins2, Rosheila Dagina3, Gilbert Hiawalyer4, Stefanie Vaccher5, James Flint6, Tambri Housen7. 1. Papua New Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Program, AOPI Building Centre, Waigani Drive, Tower One, PO Box 807, Waigani 121, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea; National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea, AOPI Building Centre, Waigani Drive, Tower One, PO Box 807, Waigani 121, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea. Electronic address: b.smaghi@gmail.com. 2. University of Newcastle, Australia, School of Medicine, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: juliecollins017@gmail.com. 3. Papua New Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Program, AOPI Building Centre, Waigani Drive, Tower One, PO Box 807, Waigani 121, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea; National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea, AOPI Building Centre, Waigani Drive, Tower One, PO Box 807, Waigani 121, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea. Electronic address: rtdagina@gmail.com. 4. Papua New Guinea Field Epidemiology Training Program, AOPI Building Centre, Waigani Drive, Tower One, PO Box 807, Waigani 121, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea; National Department of Health, Papua New Guinea, AOPI Building Centre, Waigani Drive, Tower One, PO Box 807, Waigani 121, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea. Electronic address: Gilberthiawalyer@gmail.com. 5. Independent Consultant, Papua New Guinea. Electronic address: stefanie.vaccher@gmail.com. 6. University of Newcastle, Australia, School of Medicine, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: james.flint@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au. 7. University of Newcastle, Australia, School of Medicine, University Dr, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: tambri.housen@newcastle.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the barriers and enablers Papua New Guinean (PNG) Health Care Workers (HCWs) experienced in swabbing for COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional multi-methods study; a qualitative scoping exercise and a telephone survey. The target population was COVID-19 trained HCWs from all provinces of PNG. A descriptive analysis of survey responses was conducted alongside a rapid qualitative analysis of interviews and open-ended survey questions. RESULTS: Four key thematic areas were identified; human resources, logistics, HCW attitudes and community attitudes. The survey response rate was 70.3% (407/579). Commonly reported barriers to COVID-19 swabbing were insufficient staff trained (74.0%, n = 301), inadequate staffing in general (64.9 %, n = 264), insufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE, 60.9%, n = 248) and no cold chain to store swabs (57.5%, n = 234). Commonly reported enablers to swabbing were increasing community awareness and risk communication (80.8 %, n = 329), consistent and sufficient supplies of PPE (67.8 %, n = 276), increasing surge workforce (63.9 %, n = 260) and having a fridge to store swabs (59.7 %, n = 243). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive community and HCWs engagement strategy in combination with innovations to improve supply chain are needed to increase COVID-19 swabbing in Papua New Guinea to reach national testing targets.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the barriers and enablers Papua New Guinean (PNG) Health Care Workers (HCWs) experienced in swabbing for COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional multi-methods study; a qualitative scoping exercise and a telephone survey. The target population was COVID-19 trained HCWs from all provinces of PNG. A descriptive analysis of survey responses was conducted alongside a rapid qualitative analysis of interviews and open-ended survey questions. RESULTS: Four key thematic areas were identified; human resources, logistics, HCW attitudes and community attitudes. The survey response rate was 70.3% (407/579). Commonly reported barriers to COVID-19 swabbing were insufficient staff trained (74.0%, n = 301), inadequate staffing in general (64.9 %, n = 264), insufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE, 60.9%, n = 248) and no cold chain to store swabs (57.5%, n = 234). Commonly reported enablers to swabbing were increasing community awareness and risk communication (80.8 %, n = 329), consistent and sufficient supplies of PPE (67.8 %, n = 276), increasing surge workforce (63.9 %, n = 260) and having a fridge to store swabs (59.7 %, n = 243). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive community and HCWs engagement strategy in combination with innovations to improve supply chain are needed to increase COVID-19 swabbing in Papua New Guinea to reach national testing targets.