Since the early phase of the pandemic, Lebanon has taken proactive measures to prevent, control the spread of COVID-19, and effectively respond through a holistic approach involving all stakeholders. As Lebanon experiences an upsurge in the number of persons with COVID 19 infection, it is becoming less rational to isolate all patients in hospital-based care treatment facilities. Hence, home isolation could be a reasonable choice for decongestion of health facilities Based on the above, it is crucial to assess the suitability of residencies intended for home care isolation and the feasibility of care provision at home.
Based on the findings of this assessment, more than 90% of cases were eligible for home isolation. This result reflects only the suitability of the intended isolation location according to the current health status of cases but not the efficiency of home isolation. Preventing the spread of infection among household members is crucial. However, this could not be achievable without a sense of responsibility among cases. In addition, close monitoring of the compliance of cases to the recommended infection prevention and control measures must be performed by health authorities and municipalities. In regards to patients who were unable to isolate within their own home according to the assessment; they would be isolated at community isolation Centers that meet the specifications and the requirements set by the Order of Nurses and the Lebanese Army [9].
The assessment showed that around half of COVID-19 cases were male. While data showed that men and women had approximately the same susceptibility, men were more prone to dying. A study conducted in China showed that men were 2.4 times more than women in the deceased patients [12]. This underlines the importance of regular health monitoring.
Our results showed that COVID-19 was diagnosed at all ages. Around third of the assessed patients were aged more than 50 years. However, older age and the presence of comorbidities were associated with higher severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. This underscores the importance of monitoring older cases. A study about the impact of home care on older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that Home-based isolation among older adults must be tailored to meet individual needs and must meet evidence-based specifications [13].
Besides, around 18% of cases were aged 18 years old or less and only 2.3% of them were aged less than 5 years old. It is important to ensure continuity of care of children during the whole isolation period and to keep children less than 18 years old with their families during isolation unless a critical health condition exists with a special focus on children’s interests.
Our results showed that around half of cases intended to receive home care were married. Despite that, the presence of a partner is important for psychological and physical support, a study conducted by Liu et al., showed that spousal relationships increased the risk for transmission among COVID-19-positive persons and household members [14]. However, home care is associated with a reduced risk of stigmatization for COVID-19 and a higher likelihood of recovery.
Since the majority of cases were active and practicing work before being infected, their work arrest that can be not covered by their work and home caring fees could place additional financial constraints on both COVID-19-positive persons and caregivers alike. Additionally, the majority have a secondary educational level or less. Given that higher educational level is usually associated with good knowledge about the disease and the preventive measures which is in turn associated with good practices, there is a need to raise awareness among cases and their contacts about the infection prevention measures in order to mitigate the risk of family transmission of COVID-19 [15].
Only 5.3% of COVID-19 cases were isolated alone at home. However, 72.5% of them were isolated with 2 to 5 family members living with them at the home of isolation. A conducted review about home-based care for COVID-19 showed a higher likelihood of familial transmission of COVID-19 associated with home isolation of COVID-19 positives and that the household is a primary site enhancing the spread of COVID-1.9. This could be challenging to the adoption of home-based care (HBC). Additionally, households with a large number of members are also more likely to experience higher COVID-19 transmission rates than others. Findings from studies revealed that an average number of 5 persons live in every Chinese household, and this is comparable to the range of assessed household members in Lebanon [14, 16].
More than half of the participants have children (less than 18) at isolation homes and around one-quarter of them have a child less than 5 years old. Despite the importance of keeping children with their families as they need special care in particular in absence of another caregiver, preventive measures such as physical distancing and secure means of communication should be adopted.
Notably, one-quarter of patients have a family member aged more than 65 years old at home isolation, and around half of them have a household member suffering from comorbidities. Any breach in adherence to preventive measures could lead to household transmission associated with poor outcomes among this elder population.
The presence of family members with disabilities was reported by some individuals at the home of isolation. Given the vital role of information for people to make life-saving decisions about how to protect themselves and to get necessities and services during quarantine and self-isolation, this information may not be accessible and understood by people with disabilities. This stressed the importance of sharp compliance to recommended preventive measures.
It should be noted that despite the risk of household transmission of infection, home isolation for COVID-19 would create an opportunity for emotional care and support needed for recovery of cases especially in hot-spot communities. Active engagement of infected persons and relatives or caregivers would be enhanced following the adoption of home isolation of COVID-19 patients.
Our results showed that the majority of assessed residences ensure the availability of an isolation room well equipped, ventilated, and close to an individual toilet dedicated for the patient, and balcony. Entertainment tools were also available. Based on the guidelines, the majority of isolation rooms were considered suitable for isolation. Availability of basic infrastructures such as water, electricity, heating, and waste management was also satisfactory. Besides, hygiene facilities, hand washing material (soaps), cleaning supplies, and detergents were available. However, the shortage of these necessities would prevent the preservation of hygienic conditions in homes where COVID-19 patients are to be managed. A study conducted in Beijing, China showed that infection prevention and control (IPC) measures could prevent household COVID-19 transmission even in crowded or small households [17]. However, the provision of the ongoing support of needs and monitoring throughout the entire period of home care management of COVID19 cases is recommended.
A limited number of cases have an ox meter at home. This could impede their daily symptoms monitoring especially that COVID-19 infection was associated with silent hypoxemia. Hence, the role of local authorities, in particular, municipalities to provide such equipment in case needed. This highlights the supportive role of municipalities and local authorities in following the adherence of cases to home isolation in addition to providing them with the needed items (food, detergents, masks…).
Our results showed that the majority of assessed isolation homes were reachable close to hospitals and accessible by ambulance and food delivery services. Geographic accessibility is crucial, especially in case the isolated COVID-19 case requires hospitalization.
The bulk of assessed patients were aware of preventive measures including physical distancing, wearing masks, cleaning and disinfecting as well as its importance in limiting the spread of the disease. They were also able to serve themselves and to adhere to isolation requirements and the availability of someone to provide them with their needs. Strict adherence of patients, household members, and caregivers should be ensured. Compliance with IPC measures created an opportunity for the prevention of household transmission of COVID-19 in all household types. Besides, IPC education sessions should be provided to family members of infected persons to raise awareness. Owing to the dearth of HCWs, prearranged field visitations to the household where COVID-19-infected persons are being isolated by well-trained health staff are recommended.
Challenges:
Given that COVID-19 is mainly transmitted by droplets, home isolation could present a risk of familial transmission in a residence with households with many members and could place caregivers and other family members at risk of COVID-19 infection. Lack of knowledge and difficulty in adherence to the isolation guidelines and IPC recommendations could impede the adoption of home-based management of COVID-19 patients. Financial implications required for home isolation should be also acknowledged. Compared to isolation centers where costs are borne by the government, the responsibility for home isolation is mainly to be carried by COVID-19-positive persons and their families. In addition, COVID-19 cases were unable to maintain physical relationships right within their own homes. This could affect their mental health and create a sense of “imprisonment”.
Home isolation is a reasonable opportunity for the management of COVID-19 in Lebanon. Although faced with challenges of increased transmission rates and financial constraints, home caring could afford many opportunities to COVID-19 management. To improve COVID-19 management in a home-based setting, there is a need for tailoring caring practices to individual needs to provide patient-centered based on individual peculiarities, housing patterns, age, and other sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, fostering sufficient awareness and knowledge regarding practices IPC and IPC measures such as hand hygiene, wearing of face masks, social distancing, disinfection, and household ventilation which curtail transmission is needed. This could not be achieved without multi-sectoral collaboration and a close follow up of the adherence of cases: