Characterization and determinant factors of critical illness and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients in Kenya

Globally, there is an anticipated epidemiological heterogeneity of COVID-19 patients. No epidemiological studies validated the epidemiological characterization of COVID-19 patients in African settings.

Previous studies identified some risk factors for severe COVID-19 and mortality in developed countries. Previous epidemiological studies have also reported that hospitalized COVID-19 patients are linked with advanced age and underlying medical conditions.

A new study finds that COVID-19 individuals with comorbidities (such as CVDs, chronic lung disease, cancer, and diabetes) are at a higher risk of severe disease progression. Additionally, oxygen saturation levels, advanced age, and gender predict ICU admission and mortality among COVID-19 patients.

This study, published in the journal Biosafety and Health, informs on predictors of ICU admission and hospital mortality and the survival rate of COVID-19 in the African settings, where the triple disease burden from emerging diseases, endemics, and non-communicable diseases is a challenge.