| dc.description.abstract | Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) caused public emergency with serious
morbidity and mortality worldwide between 2020. The direct impact of the diseases and associated
mortality may have been relatively limited in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), compared to in impact in
other religions. The factors that are considered high risk for acquisition of COVID-19 and
associated high mortality rate among inpatients are varied in different settings, there are limited
data from regional referral designated COVID 19 Treatment Units (CTU) in Uganda.
Objectives: To describe COVID-19 characteristic, clinical outcomes and associated risk factors
among patients admitted in COVID 19 treatment Unit at Lira Regional Referral Hospital-Northern
Uganda.
Methods and Materials: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patient admitted with
confirmed diagnosis of COVID 19 between May 2020 at Lira regional and March 2022 at Lira
Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH). Primary outcome was in-patient mortality. Data abstract
included social-demographic, clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, in-hospital outcomes
(death or discharged alive). Categorical data was presented as Frequencies and percentage.
Continuous data was described using Mean and standard deviation (S.D). The independent
association between the dependent variables and the independent variables were tested Chi Square
and the Chi Square value reported. Predicators for mortality among COVID-19 patients
hospitalized in CTU at LRRH were determined using logistic regression and the results reported
as adjusted odds ratio (aOR). Test for significance was done at 95% confidence interval.
Results: In final analysis, 490 participants were considered. Out of this, 251 (52%) were females.
Majority were older than 60 years of age. Most of the patients presented with cough 369(89.56%),
difficult in breathing (DIB) 293(78.76%), chest pain 237(69.3%), general body weakness
(GBW)199(63.38%) and fever179(61.3%). Commoner-existing comorbidities were hypertension
139(29.96%), diabetes mellitus 89(19.47%) and HIV 44(10%). Of all the patients admitted,
187(40%) had severe disease and 34(7%) were critically ill.
Overall, 142(29%) died. Predictors of all cause in hospital mortality were low oxygen saturation
(SPO2) 92-100% had 89% decreased mortality compared to SPO2<92% (aOR-O.11, 95% CI0.03-
0.44, P-value-0.002). Body temperature 35.5-37.5 degrees Celsius had 78% decreased mortality
compared to abnormal temperature above or below this range (aOR-0.22, 95% CI0.05-0.99, p-
value-0.049). Not having Chronic Disease (CLD) had 99% decreased mortality compared to
having CLD (aOR-0.01, 95% CI0.001-0.46, p-value-0.017). Age 31-45 yrs had 86% decreased
mortality compared to 18-30yrs (aOR-0.14,95% CI0.03-0.74, P-value-0.021).
Conclusion: More than 1 quota (29%) of the patients admitted in lira regional referral hospital
with COVID 19 died. Majority of the patients were elderly with pre-existing illnesses and most of
them presented with severe and critical condition.
Key words: Mortality, Hospitalized, COVID 19, Patients Regional, Referral Hospital | en_US |
