OBJECTIVES: We examine the impact of real-time containment policies as an intervention to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in African countries.

METHODS: Data used in this study were obtained from “Our World in Data” and Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker from 2000-2022. It comprised daily COVID-19 containment and health index (CCHI), daily COVID-19 confirmed cases, and daily confirmed deaths due to COVID-19. This is a composite measure based on thirteen policy response indicators, including school closures, workplace closures, travel bans, testing policy, contact tracing, face coverings, and vaccine policy, rescaled to a value from 0 to 100, with 100 being the strictest. The CCHI was further categorized as 0–49 (less stringent) and 50–100 (more stringent) based on values of the index. The data obtained was subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis.

RESULTS: The overall mean CCHI for the African continent was less stringent (42.86±18.71%) and ranged from 18.08±9.21% (Tanzania) to Rwanda (56.60±17.76%). The CCHI was correlated with daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 (r=0.40, 0.39-0.41, p<.0001) and deaths (r=0.39, 95%0.38-0.40, p<.0001). However, daily confirmed COVID-19 cases were highly correlated with deaths (r=0.80, 95%CI 0.79-0.80, p<.0001). The northern region had the highest CCHI of 48.59%, while the central region recorded the lowest value, 35.32% (p<.0001). Comparatively, a reduced number of COVID-19 cases and deaths were reported in African countries where the containment measures were less stringent compared to countries with more stringent containment measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that African country's containment policies were, on average, less stringent with significant heterogeneity. Although the containment policies aim to protect public health and healthcare systems, there seems to exist a complex and dynamic relationship across multiple fronts. Consequently, more stringent containment policies may not necessarily transform into disease control.