Determinants of mortality in COVID-19 infection in western Uttar Pradesh, India: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT

A new disease SARS-COV -2 popularly known as COVID-19 had become global pandemic taking toll of many lives in short time. India is among the most severely affected countries with on-going COVID-19 pandemic. It is very crucial to determine the factors related to mortality in COVID-19 infected cases to reduce the further deaths. The aim of the study is to assess the determinants related with COVID-19 mortality. Objectives: 1.To study the socio demographic profile of deceased from COVID-19 infection. 2. Assessment of factors related to mortality from COVID-19 infection. Methodology: An observational retrospective study was conducted by telephonic interview of family members of all deceased provided in the line-list of deaths in the Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, India on pre-designed pretested validated questionnaire during study period. The detailed information regarding progress of the disease and hospitalization was also obtained from the death summary of the hospital deaths and data collected was entered and analyzed in Epi info7.2.3.1 software. Result: The case fatality ratio is around 2%.Increasing age, male gender ,urban population, delay in investigation and hospitalization ,poor health seeking behaviour are the determining factors in increasing mortality. Breathlessness followed by fever, cough are the most common presenting symptoms. Diabetics with Hypertension are at very high risk as compared to isolated non communicable diseases. Conclusion: Though the COVID-19 disease is highly infectious but the mortality is not very high in first wave and vulnerable population needs more focus with proper planning and strategies. IEC needs to be promoted for early investigation and treatment.