Achieving SDG3 in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions of Frontline Health Managers of Primary Health Care in South-south, Nigeria

Achieving SDGs amidst COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the knowledge of frontline health managers of a Primary Health Care system, on Sustainable Development Goal 3, and their perception on attaining the goal with the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design with a technology-assisted structured questionnaire, in April 2020.

Setting: Primary Health Care system in 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Participants: All heads of PHC facilities and program officers were included. Only those with formal excuses from duty were excluded. A total of 340 respondents took part in the study. Data was analyzed using SPSS v. 25, p≤0.05

Main outcome measure: Knowledge of SDG3 and perception of attaining SDG by 2030 with COVID-19 pandemic

Results: Majority of the participants were 36-50 years (74%), females (66%), and had tertiary education (89%). Majority had over five-year work experience (72%) and were program officers (58%). A significant difference was observed in ‘knowledge on SDGs’ among heads of health facilities and program officers, p=0.042. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, majority stated that it is ‘unlikely’ to attain the SDGs by 2030 and ‘unlikely’ that the pandemic would improve political will and partnership, two essentials for implementing SDG3 within the PHC system.

Conclusion: Frontline health managers have a crucial role to play in attaining SDG3 and their opinion towards attaining the goal needs to be well considered. Stakeholders’ analyses is required for effective implementation of SDG3 programs within the PHC system, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, COVID-19, Primary Health Care