Prognostic factors and outcomes of COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia: multi-center cohort study protocol
Abdella, Saro; Tessema, Masresha; Tasew, Geremew; Defar, Atkure; Deressa, Asefa; Regasa, Feyisa; Teka, Frehiwot; Tigabu, Eyasu; Nigussie, Dereje; Belachew, Tefera; Molla, Million; Deribew, Amare; Abebe, Workeabeba; Yigzaw, Tegbar; Nigatu, Tsinuel; Mitike, Getnet; Haile, Tewodros; Taame, Haftom; Ahmed, Muhammed; Nigatu, Frehiwot; Tolesa, Tola; Wolka, Eskinder; Amogne, Wondwossen; Laillou, Arnaud; Amare, Misker; Fufa, Yaregal; Argaw, Alemayehu; Waganew, Woldesenbet; Azazh, Akilili; Worku, Aschalew; Redae, Berhane; Sultan, Menbeu; Walelegn, Miraf; Tefera, Muluwork; Yifru, Sisay; Argaw, Rahel; Brehau, Natinael; Teklu, Sisay; Demoz, Getachew; Seman, Yakob; Salasibew, Mihretab; Ejeta, Eshetu; J. Whiting, Susan; Wolday, Dawit; Tollera, Getachew; Abate, Ebba; Duguma, Dereje
Date:
2021-09-16
Organizations Affiliated to the Authors:
Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Status:
Open Access
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06652-0
Abstract:
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
(SARS-CoV-2) and became pandemic after emerging in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Several studies have been
conducted to understand the key features of COVID-19 and its public health impact. However, the prognostic factors
of COVID-19 are not well studied in the African setting. In this study, we aim to determine the epidemiological and
clinical features of COVID-19 cases, immunological and virologic courses, interaction with nutritional status, and
response to treatment for COVID-19 patients in Ethiopia.
Methods: A multi-center cohort study design will be performed. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted to selected treatment centers will be enrolled irrespective of their symptoms and followed-up for 12 months.
Baseline epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and imaging data will be collected from treatment records, interviews,
physical measurements, and biological samples. Follow-up data collection involves treatment and prognostic out comes to be measured using different biomarkers and clinical parameters. Data collection will be done electronically
using the Open Data Kit (ODK) software package and then exported to STATA/SPSS for analysis. Both descriptive and
multivariable analyses will be performed to assess the independent determinants of the treatment outcome and
prognosis to generate relevant information for informed prevention and case management. The primary outcomes of
this study are death/survival and viral shedding. Secondary outcomes include epidemiological characteristics, clinical
features, genetic frequency shifts (genotypic variations), and nutritional status.
Discussion: This is the first large prospective cohort study of patients in hospitals with COVID-19 in Ethiopia. The
results will enable us to better understand the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa. This study will also provide
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