@Article{info:doi/10.2196/58436, author="Glover, Nicole Audrey and Sathar, Farzana and Mokome, Pride and Mathabela, Nkululeko and Taleni, Sipokazi and van Blydenstein, Sarah Alexandra and Mekota, Anna-Maria and Charalambous, Salome and Rachow, Andrea and Ivanova, Olena", title="Improving Health and Well-Being of People With Post--COVID-19 Consequences in South Africa: Situation Analysis and Pilot Intervention Design", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="9", pages="e58436", keywords="post--COVID-19; rehabilitation; support; quality of life; group care; well-being; South Africa; COVID-19; situation analysis; pilot; intervention; context-adapted; physical health; mental health; cross-sectional; mixed method; questionnaire; in-depth; interviews; survey; focus group; quantitative; qualitative; support group; hospital; patients; health care workers; health worker", abstract="Background: Multisystemic complications post--COVID-19 infection are increasingly described in the literature, yet guidance on the management remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for individuals with post--COVID-19 symptoms. Based on this, we aimed to develop a context-adapted intervention to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals with post--COVID-19 complications. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods situation analysis assessing the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for patients with post--COVID-19 symptoms. We collected data through questionnaires, semistructured in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) from individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous 18-month period and health care providers who managed patients with COVID-19 in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics, qualitative data were transcribed, and deductive analysis focused on suggestions for future interventions. Findings guided the development of a group intervention. Results: We conducted 60 questionnaires, 13 interviews, and 3 FGDs. Questionnaires showed limited knowledge of post--COVID-19 complications at 26.7{\%} (16/60). Of those who received any rehabilitation for COVID-19 (19/60, 31.7{\%}), 94.7{\%} (18/19) found it helpful for their recovery. Just over half (23/41, 56{\%}) of those who did not receive rehabilitation reported that they would have liked to. The majority viewed rehabilitation as an important adjunct to post--COVID-19 care (56/60, 93.3{\%}) and that support groups would be helpful (53/60, 88.3{\%}). Qualitative results highlighted the need for mental health support, structured post--COVID-19 follow-up, and financial aid in post--COVID-19 care. Based on the insights from the situation analysis, the theory of change framework, and existing post--COVID-19 evidence, we designed and conducted a pilot support group and rehabilitation intervention for individuals with post--COVID-19 complications. Our main objective was to assess the change in physical and psychological well-being pre- and postintervention. The intervention included 8 weekly themed group sessions supplemented by home tasks. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by questionnaires pre- and postintervention on post--COVID-19 symptoms, quality of life with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and physical function by spirometry and 1-minute sit-to-stand test. We also assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by questionnaires and semistructured in-depth interviews. The intervention outcome analysis is yet to be conducted. Conclusions: Insights from patients and health care providers on the characteristics of post--COVID-19 complications helped guide the development of a context-adapted intervention program with potential to improve health and well-being post--COVID-19. ", issn="2561-326X", doi="10.2196/58436", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e58436", url="https://doi.org/10.2196/58436" }