The Development of Support for People Following COVID-19 Infection in Kyrgyzstan: Survey Study of Patients and Clinical Workers

Background: After the acute period from SARS-CoV-2 infection, many COVID-19 survivors continue to have ongoing symptoms. There is a need to render assistance to such COVID-19 survivors in Kyrgyzstan but it is unclear how support should be designed. This study aimed to examine what this support should look like, specifically the persisting post-COVID symptoms, views on the optimal timing, suitable delivery methods, content of the support, and obstacles to implementation. Methods: This study was conducted by using two cross-sectional online surveys in the Russian language. The first group included clinical workers of various specialties who worked in the places of treatment for patients with COVID-19. The second group consisted of patients aged ≥18 years who had recovered from COVID-19 who were recruited from family medicine centers using the database of COVID-19 survivors. The survey was conducted anonymously and voluntarily, and consisted of 16 questions. Results: 85 clinical workers and 132 COVID-19 survivors took part in the survey. COVID-19 survivors reported they would be willing to devote 1-3 sessions per a week (84%) with a duration of no more than 1 hour (90%) to post-COVID interventions. Respondents identified the Internet (43%) and separate smartphone applications (42%) as the best media via which to receive support at home. The greatest barrier to accepting help was the risk of re-infection (43%). According to clinical workers, the main goal of post-COVID-19 support should be the amelioration of breathing problems (70%), increased physical exercise (57%) and elements of psychological support (57%). Clinical workers reported that support should begin during treatment for COVID-19 (65%), or immediately after returning from the hospital (59%). Respondents stated that it would be better to carry out support at home via video conference (65%), or by means of telephone calls (47%). The cost of treatment (47%) and the individual’s employment at work (43%) were deemed potential barriers to COVID-19 survivors participating in support interventions.Conclusions: Clinical workers and COVID-19 survivors deemed post-COVID-19 support necessary. Our results will directly inform the development and delivery of post-COVID support interventions in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, in combination with the views and needs identified directly from people with persisting post-COVID symptoms.