Determinants of Covid-19 Treatment Outcomes among Patients Admitted at an Infectious Disease Centre in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background

Although the COVID-19 epidemic seems to have ceased, with only few new sporadic cases seen, reports of new strains of the virus could lead to a resurgence and death. Hence, this study identified the factors influencing COVID-19 treatment outcomes among patients in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Objective

To identify the determinants of COVID-19 treatment outcomes among patients admitted at the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Method

A facility-based retrospective study was conducted. A review of the records of all cases (932) of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 positive patients, who received treatment between April 2020 and January 2022 at the Centre was conducted. Data was analysed at the level of significance of 5%.

Results

The mean age (S.D.) of the patients was 36.97 (14.6) years, while the mean number of days on admission was 14.87 (11.33) days. Most were males (66.7%). Many (51.5%) were symptomatic at admission, 4% had co-morbidities. The other disease conditions present included obesity, asthma, diabetes and hypertension. At admission, 45.8% had a low body temperature and about a quarter (29.7%) had a high respiratory rate. More than half (63.3%) had a high lymphocyte count, while 41.1% had low neutrophil count.  The case fatality rate was 3.3%. Patients’ occupation (OR = 0.56, p = 0.01), pulse rate (OR = 1.00, p = 0.00), blood pressure (OR = 2.97, p = 0.007) and oxygen saturation (OR = 0.05, p = 0.00) were significantly (p <0.05) associated with COVID-19 treatment outcomes.

Conclusion

Patients’ occupation was a positive predictor of treatment outcomes, hence patients’ occupation should be considered in the classification of disease severity of the infection and subsequent treatment.