Abstract
BackgroundA year after the COVID-19 pandemic started, there are still few scientific reports on COVID-19 in Africa. This study explores the clinical profiles and factors associated with COVID-19 in Cameroon.Materials and methodsIn this prospective cohort study, we followed patients admitted for suspicion of COVID-19 at Djoungolo Hospital between 01st April and 31st July 2020. Patients were categorised by age groups and disease severity: mild (symptomatic without clinical signs of pneumonia), moderate (with clinical signs of pneumonia without respiratory distress) and severe cases (clinical signs of pneumonia and respiratory distress not requiring invasive ventilation). Demographic information and clinical features were summarised. Multivariable analysis was performed to predict risk.FindingsA total of 313 patients were admitted during the study period; 259 were confirmed cases of COVID-19 by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Among the confirmed cases, the male group aged 40 to 49 years (13.9%) was predominant. Disease severity ranged from mild (26.2%; n = 68) to moderate (59%; n = 153) to severe (14.7%; n = 38); the case fatality rate was 1% (n = 4). Dysgusia (46%; n = 119) and hyposmia/anosmia (37.8%; n = 98) were common features of COVID-19. Nearly one-third of patients had comorbidities (29%; n = 53), of which hypertension was the most common (18.9%; n = 49). Participation in mass gatherings (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.37; P = 0.03) and dysgusia (OR = 2.09, P = 0.02) were predictive of diagnosis of COVID-19. Age groups 60 to 69 (OR = 7.41; P = 0.0001), 50 to 59 (OR = 4.09; P = 0.03), 40 to 49 (OR = 4.54; P = 0.01), male gender (OR = 2.53; P = 0.04), diabetes (OR = 4.05; P = 0.01), HIV infection (OR = 5.57; P = 0.03), lung disease (OR = 6.29; P = 0.01), dyspnoea (OR = 3.70; P = 0.008) and fatigue (OR = 3.35; P = 0.02) significantly predicted COVID-19 severity.ConclusionsMost COVID-19 cases in this study were benign with low fatality. Age (40–70), male gender, HIV infection, lung disease, dyspnoea and fatigue are associated with severe COVID-19. Such findings may guide public health decision-making.
Highlights
In December 2019, COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, Capital City of Hubei Province, in China [1]
Most COVID-19 cases in this study were benign with low fatality
Age (40–70), male gender, HIV infection, lung disease, dyspnoea and fatigue are associated with severe COVID-19
Summary
In December 2019, COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, Capital City of Hubei Province, in China [1]. COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency of international concern on 30th January 2020 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and it became a pandemic on the 11th March 2020, acknowledging the rapid spread of the disease across continents [3]. In Cameroon, the first case was reported on the 06th March 2020, a traveler who arrived in Cameroon on the 24th February 2020 from France [4]. Cameroon adopted public health measures which evolved with the trends of the pandemic. Specialized COVID-19 treatment centres and laboratories were identified for diagnosis and management of COVID-19 in Cameroon. A year after the COVID-19 pandemic started, there are still few scientific reports on COVID19 in Africa. This study explores the clinical profiles and factors associated with COVID-19 in Cameroon
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