Demographic characteristics of participants.

Over 9.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in Africa. The syndrome of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) affects an estimated 32% to 87% of COVID patients globally. Data regarding prevalence and impact of PASC in Botswana are limited. This study used a cross-sectional survey design to query healthcare workers in Kweneng District, Botswana about perceived PASC prevalence, duration, symptoms, impact, and management strategies. The survey was disseminated to participants via pre-existing WhatsApp groups and paper copy. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, including demographic data. 72 respondents consented and completed the survey, from an estimated 650 staff meeting eligibility criteria; 63% were female and 36% were male. The majority (90%) were nurses, with doctors and “other” accounting for 6% and 4% of respondents, respectively; no administrators responded. Over half (72%) worked at primary care facilities and 28% worked in hospitals. Nearly all (93%) indicated seeing patients with PASC on a weekly basis, though the majority (61%) identified these patients as comprising <10% of total patients. The most frequently reported PASC symptom was persistent cough (64%), followed by shortness of breath (54%) and fatigue (49%). A substantial minority of respondents were unsure how to manage common PASC symptoms, with 29% and 36% indicating uncertainty regarding management of persistent cough and fatigue, respectively. Findings indicate that PASC symptoms are frequently encountered in clinical practice in Botswana with significant overlap with acute COVID-19, influenza-like illnesses, and tuberculosis, likely placing increased burden on existing health system processes. Providers reported uncertainty in managing presumed PASC, and current practice patterns may contribute to unintended adverse effects. Clear clinical algorithms for PASC screening, diagnosis, and management should be developed and disseminated in Botswana to mitigate the effects of PASC symptoms and improve the quality of life of COVID-19 survivors.

非洲已记录超过950万例新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）确诊感染病例。据估计，全球范围内有32%至87%的新冠患者会出现严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2（SARS-CoV-2）感染后急性后遗症（PASC）综合征。目前关于博茨瓦纳地区PASC的流行率与影响相关的数据较为有限。本研究采用横断面调查设计，针对博茨瓦纳奎嫩区的医护人员开展调研，询问其对PASC流行率、持续时长、症状、影响以及管理策略的认知情况。本次调研通过现有WhatsApp群组与纸质问卷两种形式向参与者发放。研究采用描述性统计方法对包括人口统计学数据在内的定量数据进行分析。在符合纳入标准的约650名医护人员中，共有72名受访者同意参与并完成了问卷调研；其中63%为女性，36%为男性。绝大多数（90%）受访者为护士，医生与其他类别人员分别占6%与4%，无行政管理人员参与调研。超过半数（72%）的受访者就职于基层医疗卫生机构，剩余28%供职于医院。几乎所有（93%）受访者表示每周都会接诊PASC患者，但多数（61%）认为此类患者占总接诊量的比例不足10%。报告频次最高的PASC症状为持续性咳嗽（64%），其次为呼吸困难（54%）与疲劳（49%）。有相当比例的受访者对常见PASC症状的管理方式不甚明确，其中29%与36%的受访者分别对持续性咳嗽与疲劳的管理存在认知不确定的情况。研究结果表明，博茨瓦纳临床实践中频繁出现PASC相关症状，且其与急性新冠、流感样疾病以及肺结核存在显著重叠，这可能进一步加重现有医疗卫生系统的运转负担。医护人员表示对疑似PASC病例的管理存在不确定性，当前的诊疗模式或可能带来非预期的不良影响。博茨瓦纳应制定并推广针对PASC的筛查、诊断与管理标准化临床流程，以缓解PASC症状带来的影响，改善新冠康复者的生活质量。