Death Analysis of 10 Major Diseases Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Papua Province, Indonesia, 2020

Abstract

Some of the co-morbidities that may cause death in COVID-19 patients include: hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease and malaria. People with the disease have a high death rate when they become infected with COVID-19. The aim of this study is to analyze the deaths of the top 10 diseases in the Papua Province prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research method used in this study is a mix method. The research was conducted in Papua Province and Yowari Regional Hospital, Jayapura Regency, from September to November 2020. The informants were the Head of the Provincial Health Office and three heads of the COVID-19 epicenter of the Health Office. Quantitative samples were taken from patients who died between January 2020 and June 2020, namely 87 cases of death. A sample of 87 people was obtained using a total sampling technique. Data gathering techniques are secondary data and in-depth interviews. The results showed an increase in the number of deaths in the top 10 diseases before and during COVID-19, with an increase of 71 percent. The cause of the increase in death rates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was due to a misconception of health and illness, as well as to the behavior of people who were late to go to health services. Death from heart failure was the main cause of death. At Yowari Regional Hospital, Jayapura Regency, people who died from the top 10 diseases before COVID-19 were aged 26-45 years, i.e. 11 people (34.4 percent). Meanwhile, the majority were 46-65 years old during the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. 18 people (32.7 percent). Promotional and preventive efforts are the strategy of the local government (Health Department) to reduce deaths from the top 10 diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.