Abstract
BackgroundKnowledge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is unfolding. Insights from patient features in different environments are therefore vital to understanding the disease and improving outcomes.AimThis study aimed to describe patient characteristics associated with symptomatic presentation and duration of hospitalisation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients managed in Abuja.SettingThe study was conducted in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 201 COVID-19 patients hospitalised in the Asokoro District Hospital COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment Centre between April 2020 and July 2020. Demographic and clinical data were obtained and outcomes assessed were symptom presentation and duration of hospitalisation.ResultsPatients’ median age was 39.3 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 26–52); 65.7% were male and 33.8% were health workers. Up to 49.2% of the patients were overweight or obese, 68.2% had mild COVID-19 at presentation and the most common symptoms were cough (38.3%) and fever (33.8%). Hypertension (22.9%) and diabetes mellitus (7.5%) were the most common comorbidities. The median duration of hospitalisation was 14.4 days (IQR: 9.5–19). Individuals with secondary and tertiary education had higher percentage symptoms presentation (8.5% and 34%, respectively), whilst a history of daily alcohol intake increased the length of hospital stay by 129.0%.ConclusionHigher educational levels were linked with symptom presentation in COVID-19 patients and that daily alcohol intake was significantly associated with longer hospital stay. These findings highlight the importance of public education on COVID-19 for symptom recognition, early presentation and improved outcomes.
Highlights
Since December 2019 when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported from Wuhan, China, by the World Health Organization (WHO), numbers of infected cases have steadily continued to rise globally
This study examines the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the first 201 laboratory-confirmed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive COVID-19 patients treated at Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja Nigeria
This study aimed at identifying the demographic characteristics and clinical profiles of a cohort of COVID-19 patients managed at the Asokoro COVID-19 Isolation and Treatment facility in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria
Summary
Since December 2019 when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported from Wuhan, China, by the World Health Organization (WHO), numbers of infected cases have steadily continued to rise globally. As at the time of writing, over 107 million cases have been reported across the world, with more than 2 million deaths.[1] In Nigeria, the first case was identified on 27 February 2020 and since there have been over 140 000 confirmed cases, 114 635 patients have been discharged and 1673 deaths have been recorded from the virus.[2]. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted via respiratory droplets, with current epidemiological evidence suggesting an incubation period of 5–14 days.[3,4]. Knowledge of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is unfolding. Insights from patient features in different environments are vital to understanding the disease and improving outcomes
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