Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the first cohort of COVID-19 recoveries at two national treatment centres in Accra, Ghana.

Benedict N.L Calys-Tagoe,Christian Owoo,Evelyn Adjei-Mensah,Joseph A Oliver-Commey,Alfred E Yawson,Margaret Lartey,Ali Samba,Ebenezer Oduro- Mensah,Lawrence Ofori-Boadu,Ernest Kenu

doi:10.4314/gmj.v54i4s.4

Benedict N.L Calys-Tagoe, Christian Owoo + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/gmj.v54i4s.4

Copy DOI

Abstract

COVID-19 is a new disease, knowledge on the mode of transmission and clinical features are still evolving, new tests are being developed with inherent challenges regarding interpretation of tests results. There is generally, a gap in knowledge on the virus globally as the pandemic evolves and in Ghana, there is dearth of information and documentation on the clinical characteristics of the virus. With these in mind, we set out to profile the initial cohort of COVID-19 patients who recovered in Ghana. We reviewed clinical records of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 who had recovered from the two main treatment centres in Accra, Ghana. Descriptive data analysis was employed and presented in simple and relational tables. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to determine differences in the mean age of the sexes and the number of days taken for the first and second retesting to be done per selected patient characteristics. Of the 146 records reviewed, 54% were male; mean age of patients was 41.9 ± 17.5 years, nearly half were asymptomatic, with 9% being severely ill. The commonest presenting symptoms were cough (22.6%), headache (13%) and sore throat (11%) while the commonest co-morbidities were hypertension (25.3%), diabetes mellitus (14%) and heart disease (3.4%). COVID-19 affected more males than females; nearly half of those infected were asymptomatic. Cough, headache and sore throat were the commonest symptoms and mean duration from case confirmation to full recovery was 19 days. Further research is required as pandemic evolves. None declared.

Highlights

Coronavirus belongs to a large family of viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses ranging from mild to severe
Study population We reviewed the records of the first cohort of confirmed COVID-19 cases who had recovered at the Ga East Municipal hospital (GEMH) and University of Ghana Medical center (UGMC)
As part of efforts to describe the COVID-19 pandemic in the Ghanaian setting, we reviewed the medical records of the first cohort of COVID-19 patients to have recovered at the Ga East Municipal hospital and the University of Ghana Medical Center

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus belongs to a large family of viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses ranging from mild to severe. In the past two decades, coronaviruses have caused 2 major pandemics i.e. severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).[1] Respiratory droplets and direct contacts have been identified as the main route of transmission. Following the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019, there has been an unprecedented geographical spread to more than 210 countries and territories and 2 international conveyances[3] around the world. This novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as SARS. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person or touching contaminated surfaces.[4]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion