{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Use of a toll-free call center for COVID-19 response and continuity of essential services during the lockdown, Greater Kampala, Uganda, 2020: a descriptive study.
{Author}: Katana E;Ndyabakira A;Migisha R;Gonahasa DN;Amanya G;Byaruhanga A;Chebrot I;Oundo C;Kadobera D;Bulage L;Ario AR;Okello DA;Harris JR;
{Journal}: Pan Afr Med J
{Volume}: 47
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024
暂无{DOI}: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.141.36203
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>on March 21, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Uganda. A total lockdown was initiated on March 30 which was gradually lifted May 5-June 30. On March 25, a toll-free call center was organized at the Kampala Capital City Authority to respond to public concerns about COVID-19 and the lockdown. We documented the set-up and use of the call center and analyzed key concerns raised by the public.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>two hotlines were established and disseminated through media platforms in Greater Kampala. The call center was open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We abstracted data on incoming calls from March 25 to June 30, 2020. We summarized call data into categories and conducted descriptive analyses of public concerns raised during the lockdown.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>among 10,167 calls, two-thirds (6,578; 64.7%) involved access to health services, 1,565 (15.4%) were about social services, and 1,375 (13.5%) involved COVID-19-related issues. Approximately one-third (2,152; 32.7%) of calls about access to health services were requests for ambulances for patients with non-COVID-19-related emergencies. About three-quarters of calls about social services were requests for food and relief items (1,184; 75.7%). Half of the calls about COVID-19 (730; 53.1%) sought disease-related information.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>the toll-free call center was used by the public during the COVID-19 lockdown in Kampala. Callers were more concerned about access to essential health services, non-related to COVID-19 disease. It is important to plan for continuity of essential services before a public health emergency-related lockdown.