scholarly journals Factors associated with mortality among the COVID-19 patients treated at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital: A retrospective study

Author(s):  
Steven Baguma ◽  
Christopher Okot ◽  
Nelson Alema Onira ◽  
Paska Apiyo ◽  
Denis Acullu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The advent of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused millions of deaths worldwide. There is a lack of data on the outcome of hospitalized African patients suffering from COVID-19.This study aimed at identifying factors associated with hospital mortality in patients who suffered from COVID-19 at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in Northern Uganda from March 2020 to October 2021.Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study in patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in Northern Uganda. Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, comorbidities, duration of hospital stay, and treatment were analyzed, and factors associated with increased odds of mortality were determined.Results: Of the 664 patients treated, 661(99.5%) were unvaccinated, 632(95.2%) recovered and 32(4.8%) died. Mortality was highest in diabetics 11(34.4%), cardiovascular diseases 12(37.5%), hypertensive 10(31.3%), females 18(56.3%), > 50-year-olds 19(59.4%), no formal education 14(43.8%), peasant farmers 12(37.5%) and those who presented with difficulty in breathing/shortness of breath and chest pain 32(100.0%), Oxygen saturation (Sp02) <80 4(12.5%), general body aches and pains 31(96.9%), tiredness 30(93.8%) and loss of speech and movements 11(34.4%). The independent factors associated with mortality among the COVID-19 patients were females AOR=0.220,95%CI:0.059-0.827;p=0.030; Diabetes mellitus AOR=9.014, 95%CI:1.726-47.067;p=0.010; tiredness AOR=0.059,95%CI:0.009-0.371; p=0.0000; general body aches and pains AOR=0.066,95%CI:0.007-0.605; p=0.020; loss of speech and movement AOR=0.134,95%CI:0.270-0.660;p=0.010 and other comorbidities AOR=6.860, 95%CI:1.309-35.957;p=0.020.Conclusion: The overall hospital mortality was 4.8%. Older age, people with diabetics, females, other comorbidities, severe forms of the disease, and those admitted to HDU were significant risk factors associated with hospital mortality. More efforts should be made to provide “Enhanced shielding” to the most vulnerable population to avoid preventable morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 in Northern Uganda.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Bongomin ◽  
Mercy Chelangat ◽  
Anthony Eriatu ◽  
Bruno Chan Onen ◽  
Priscilla Cheputyo ◽  
...  

Background. Reproductive planning by HIV-infected women is essential, as it helps to prevent transmission of HIV to their unborn babies. Integrating contraceptive services to routine HIV care significantly increases the use of modern contraceptive methods, thus reducing vertical transmission of HIV. Objectives. To determine the prevalence and factors associated with contraceptive use among HIV-infected women attending Infectious Disease Clinic (IDC) at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) in Northern Uganda. Methodology. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was performed. We used simple random sampling to recruit HIV-infected women receiving routine care from IDC, GRRH, into our study. Sample size was estimated using modified Kish-Leslie formula and semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analysed using Stata v11.0. We used logistic regression model to assess the associations and any factor with p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The prevalence of contraceptive use was found to be 36% (95% CI 31 – 40%). Factors which promoted contraceptive use were as follows: being married (aOR=2.68, 95% CI 1.54-4.65, p<0.001) and monthly income of $35 -250 (aOR= 2.38, 95% CI: 1.39- 4.09, p=0.002). Factors that hindered contraceptive use were having no child (nulliparity) (aOR= 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05-0.49; p=0.002) and age range of 31-49 years (aOR= 0.53; 95% CI: 0.33 - 0.84; p=0.007). Conclusion. In this study, just over a third of sexually active HIV-infected women reported use of modern contraceptives. This is a low level of usage and, therefore, clinicians and stakeholders should sensitise HIV-infected women on the importance of contraceptive use in the fight against HIV/AIDS and encourage them to use contraceptives to avoid vertical transmission of HIV through unintended pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asiphas Owaraganise ◽  
Wasswa GM Ssalongo ◽  
Leevan Tibaijuka ◽  
Musa Kayondo ◽  
Godfrey Twesigomwe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Formerly, preeclampsia was only diagnosed if high blood pressure and proteinuria were present in a gravid woman at or past 20 gestation weeks. Although it is possible to have preeclampsia yet never have proteinuria, the literature on how common and factors associated with non-proteinuric preeclampsia as well as whether the frequency of end-organ dysfunction among women with non-proteinuric differs from those with proteinuric pre-eclampsia is scant.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of, factors associated with non-proteinuric preeclampsia, and compare the frequency of end-organ dysfunction between women with non-proteinuric and proteinuric preeclampsia.Methods: Between November 2019 and May 2020, women with pre-eclampsia were consecutively enrolled in a cross-sectional study at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. We interviewed all pregnant women ≥20 gestation weeks presenting with hypertension ≥140/90mmHg and recorded their socio-demographic, medical, and obstetric characteristics. We excluded women with chronic hypertension and pregnancy hypertension. We measured bedside proteinuria on clean-catch urine, complete blood count, and renal function and liver enzyme tests. Pre-eclampsia was defined as hypertension plus any feature of severity including <100,000 platelets/ul, creatinine >1.1g/dl, and liver transaminases ≥ twice upper normal limit with or without proteinuria. We computed the proportion of total participants with non-proteinuric pre-eclampsia at ≤+2 urine dipstick cut-off, determined the factors associated with non-proteinuric preeclampsia using logistic regression; and used Chi-square test to compare the frequency of end-organ dysfunction between non-proteinuric preeclampsia and proteinuric groups.Results: We enrolled 134 of the screened 136 participants. Their mean age was 26.9 (SD±7.1) years and 51.5% were primigravid. The prevalence of non-proteinuric preeclampsia was 24.6% (95% CI: 17.9-32.7). Primigravidity (aOR 2.70 95%CI:1.09-6.72, p=0.032) was the factor independently associated with non-proteinuric pre-eclampsia. There was a non-significant difference in the frequency of end-organ dysfunction in women with non-proteinuric and proteinuric pre-eclampsia, p=0.309.Conclusion: Non-proteinuric preeclampsia is common, especially among primigravidae. End-organ dysfunction occurs similarly in women with non-proteinuric and proteinuric preeclampsia. Obstetrics care providers should emphasize laboratory testing, beyond proteinuria, among all women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to optimally diagnose and manage non-proteinuric preeclampsia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laban Muteebwa ◽  
Ali Ssetaala ◽  
Dan Muramuzi ◽  
Annet Nanvubya ◽  
Yunia Mayanja

Abstract BackgroundThere is widespread use of herbal medicines among populations in sub-Saharan Africa. However, pregnant women should be conscious about medication taken during pregnancy including herbal medicines because their safety profiles are not known and some of them might affect the mother, fetus and pregnancy outcomes. Knowledge about use and safety of herbs in pregnant women is limited. This study aimed to assess the extent of use and the factors associated with use of herbal medicine in pregnancy.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving 385 women 6 weeks post-partum and below, receiving post-natal services at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Western Uganda was conducted during May to August 2016. Simple random sampling was used to select participants. A structured pretested questionnaire was administered after written informed consent. Data was analyzed using logistic regression (STATA- 14).ResultsOf 385 respondents, 70.4% reported to have used herbal medicine during their most recent pregnancy. Associated factors were perception that herbal medicines are safe (aOR 9.8, 95% CI (4.2-23.0), perception that herbal medicines are important (aOR 12.4, 95% CI (5.2-29.5), staying more than 10KM from the heath facility (aOR 3.1, 95%CI (1.4-6.9), being a first time mother (aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.1-6.2) and dissatisfaction with ANC services at health facility (aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.1-6.3)ConclusionHerbal medicine use in pregnancy is common in the study area. Community Sensitization drives about the dangers of herbal medicine use in pregnancy is recommended. Healthcare workers should routinely screen for herbal medicine use during antenatal care visits and labor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Desire Banga ◽  
Melvis Baren ◽  
Namale Vivian Ssonko ◽  
Franck Katembo Sikakulya ◽  
Yves Tibamwenda ◽  
...  

Background. Mortality among children with severe acute malnutrition remains an immense health concern in the hospitals in developing countries, but its attributes are not completely assessed in various hospital settings. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of mortality, the comorbidities, and factors associated with in-hospital mortality among children under five years of age admitted with severe acute malnutrition at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Eastern Uganda. Methods. This was a hospital-based analytical and descriptive prospective cohort study conducted in the nutritional unit of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. A total of 338 children and their caretakers who met the criteria were consecutively enrolled into the study. Descriptive statistics were used to each of the independent factors, and comorbidities were subjected to chi-squared test followed by logistic regression analysis to assess its association incidence of mortality among children. All independent variables with p values ≤ 0.05 were entered into a multivariate model for factors and comorbidities independently. Factors and comorbidities with p values ≤ 0.05 were considered as associates of mortality among children. Results. Of the 338 children under 5 years of age enrolled, 49 (14.5%) died, although the majority of children were diagnosed with dehydration, 128 (37.9%); pneumonia, 127(37.6%); and malaria, 87(25.7%). Anemia ( aRR = 2.9 , 95% CI: 1.23-6.62, p = 0.01 ), bacteremia ( aRR = 10.0 , 95% CI: 3.62-29.01, p = 0.01 ), HIV ( aRR = 4.8 , 95% CI: 1.42-16.30, p < 0.01 ), TB ( aRR = 4.3 , 95% CI: 1.28-14.49, p < 0.02 ), and shock ( aRR = 60.9 , 95% CI: 9.05-410.28, p < 0.01 ) were the comorbidities significantly associated with a likelihood of mortality. Conclusions. The mortality among children under 5 years of age admitted with severe acute malnutrition is still high (14.5% versus 5%). The comorbidities are significantly associated with mortality. The clinicians are recommended to follow-up closely patients with severe acute malnutrition and to focus on the critical comorbidities identified.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xining Zhao ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Yuying Yang ◽  
Yan Pan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Preoperative malnutrition is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and survival for gastric cancer (GC) patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and the risk factors associated with the delayed discharge of geriatric patients undergoing gastrectomy. Material and Methods A retrospective study of GC patients (age ≥ 65) who underwent gastrectomy at Zhongshan Hospital from January 2018 to May 2020 was conducted. Clinical data, including demographic information, medical history, surgery-related factors, and perioperative nutritional management were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 783 patients were reviewed. The overall frequency of malnutrition was 31.3% (249/783). The levels of albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin were lower in the malnutrition group compared with the well-nourished group. Moreover, 51 (6.5%) patients received preoperative total parenteral nutritional support. All patients received postoperative parenteral nutrition; 194 (77.9%) patients in the malnutrition group received an infusion of carbohydrates with composite amino acid and 55 (22.1%) received total nutrient admixture. No significant difference was found in the duration of postoperative nutrition between the groups (P>0.05). The malnutrition group was associated with a higher rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) (P<0.001). Multivariate cox regression revealed that age >70 years, length of surgery >180 min, and postoperative complications were significant risk factors associated with delayed discharge. Conclusion Malnutrition is relatively common in elderly patients undergoing gastrectomy. Age, length of surgery, and postoperative complications are important risk factors associated with delayed discharge. Elderly GC patients with risk factors urgently require specific attention to shorten hospital stays.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Twalib Aliku ◽  
Andrea Beaton ◽  
Sulaiman Lubega ◽  
Alyssa Dewyer ◽  
Amy Scheel ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the profile of Congenital Heart Disease [CHD] and access to definitive surgical or catheter-based care among children attending a regional referral hospital in Northern Uganda. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of all children aged less than 17 years attending Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Cardiac clinic from November 2013 to July 2017. Results A total of 295 children were diagnosed with CHD during the study period. The median age at initial diagnosis was 12 months [IQR: 4–48]. Females comprised 59.3% [n =  175] of cases. Diagnosis in the neonatal period accounted for only 7.5 % [n = 22] of cases. The commonest CHD seen was ventricular septal defect [VSD] in 19.7 % [n = 58] of cases, followed by atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) in 17.3 % [n = 51] and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 15.9 % [n = 47]. The commonest cyanotic CHD seen was tetralogy of Fallot [TOF] in 5.1 % [n = 15], followed by double outlet right ventricle [DORV] in 4.1 % [n = 12] and truncus arteriosus in  3.4% [n = 10]. Dextro-transposition of the great arteries [D-TGA] was seen in 1.3 % [n = 4]. At initial evaluation, 76 % [n = 224] of all CHD cases needed definitive intervention and 14 % of these children [n = 32] had accessed surgical or catheter-based therapy within 2 years of diagnosis. Three quarters of the cases who had intervention [n = 24] had definitive care at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI), including all 12 cases who underwent catheter-based interventions. No mortalities were reported in the immediate post-operative period and in the first annual follow up in all cases who had intervention. Conclusions There is delayed diagnosis of most rural Ugandan Children with CHD and access to definitive care is severely limited. The commonest CHD seen was VSD followed by AVSD. The majority of patients who had definitive surgery or transcatheter intervention received care in Uganda.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document