NYMC Faculty Publications

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dawit Kebede Huluka, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Eyob Kebede Etissa, East African Training Initiative, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sebrina Ahmed, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Hiluf Abate Abule, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nebiyu Getachew, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Sisay Abera, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Abebaw Bekele Seyoum, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Hiruy Araya, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tsegaye Gebreyes Hundie, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Bethlehem Tadesse Anteneh, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Getachew Demoz Gebremedhin, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yonas Gebregziabher, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Rediet Yitagesu Tefera, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Addisu Birhanu Tereda, Eka Kotebe Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yohannes Feleke, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yonathan Abebe, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Tewodros Haile Gebremariam, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Hanan Yusuf Ahmed, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Wondwossen Amogne, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Deborah A. Haisch, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
Charles B. Sherman, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Neil W. Schluger, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, New York, New York.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

First Page

252

Last Page

259

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-17-2022

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Data from much of Africa are still scarce on the clinical characteristics, outcomes of treatment, and factors associated with disease severity and mortality of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Ethiopia's first COVID-19 treatment center. All consecutive symptomatic SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals, aged 18 and older, admitted to the hospital between March 13 and September 16, 2020, were included. Of the total 463 cases, 319 (68.9%) were male. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range 32-62). The most common three symptoms were cough (69%), shortness of breath (SOB; 44%), and fatigue (37%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity, followed by diabetes mellitus. The age groups 40 to 59 and ≥ 60 were more likely to have severe disease compared with those < 40 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.88-6.31 and aOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.91-6.90, respectively). Other factors associated with disease severity included the presence of any malignancy (aOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.32-16.33) and SOB (aOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 2.35-6.25). The age group ≥ 60 was significantly associated with greater in-hospital mortality compared with those < 40 years. In addition, the presence of any malignancy, SOB, and vomiting were associated with higher odds of mortality. In Ethiopia, most COVID-19 patients were male and presented with cough, SOB, and fatigue. Older age, any malignancy, and SOB were associated with disease severity; these factors, in addition to vomiting, also predicted mortality.

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