Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 2 de 2
Filter
Add more filters










Database
Language
Publication year range
1.
Preprint in English | medRxiv | ID: ppmedrxiv-21262401

ABSTRACT

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, sub-Saharan African countries experienced comparatively lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections and related deaths than in other parts of the world, the reasons for which remain unclear. Yet, there was also considerable variation between countries. Here, we explored potential drivers of this variation among 46 of the 47 World Health Organization African region member states in a cross-sectional study. We described five indicators of early COVID-19 spread and severity for each country as of 29 November 2020: delay in detection of the first case, length of the early epidemic growth period, cumulative and peak attack rates, and crude case fatality ratio (CFR). We tested the influence of 13 pre-pandemic and pandemic response predictor variables on the country-level variation in the spread and severity indicators using multivariate statistics and regression analysis. We found that wealthier African countries, with larger tourism industries and older populations, had higher peak (p < 0.001) and cumulative (p < 0.001) attack rates, and lower CFRs (p = 0.021). More urbanized countries also had higher attack rates (p < 0.001 for both indicators). Countries applying more stringent early control policies experienced greater delay in detection of the first case (p < 0.001), but the initial propagation of the virus was slower in relatively wealthy, touristic African countries (p = 0.023). Careful and early implementation of strict government policies were likely pivotal to delaying the initial phase of the pandemic, but did not have much impact on other indicators of spread and severity. An over-reliance on disruptive containment measures in more resource-limited contexts is neither effective nor sustainable. We thus urge decision-makers to prioritize the reduction of resource-based health disparities, and surveillance and response capacities in particular, to ensure global resilience against future threats to public health and economic stability. Summary BoxO_ST_ABSWhat is already known on this topic?C_ST_ABSO_LICOVID-19 trajectories varied widely across the world, and within the African continent. C_LIO_LIThere is significant heterogeneity in the surveillance and response capacities among WHO African region member states. C_LI What are the new findings?O_LICumulative and peak attack rates during the first wave of COVID-19 were higher in WHO African region member states with higher per-capita GDP, larger tourism industries, older and more urbanized populations, and higher pandemic preparedness scores. C_LIO_LIAlthough better-resourced African countries documented higher attack rates, they succeeded in limiting rapid early spread and mortalities due to COVID-19 infection. C_LIO_LIAfrican countries that had more stringent early COVID-19 response policies managed to delay the onset of the outbreak at the national level. However, this phenomenon is partially explained by a lack of detection capacity, captured in low pandemic preparedness scores, and subsequent initial epidemic growth rates were slower in relatively well-resourced countries. C_LI What do the new findings imply?Careful implementation of strict government policies can aid in delaying an epidemic, but investments in public health infrastructure and pandemic preparedness are needed to better mitigate its impact on the population as a whole.

2.
Preprint in English | medRxiv | ID: ppmedrxiv-21259857

ABSTRACT

IntroductionSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, very little data on the epidemiological characteristics among the pediatric population in Africa has been published. This paper examines the age and sex distribution of the morbidity and mortality rate in children with COVID-19 and compares it to the adult population within 15 Sub-Saharan African countries. MethodsA merge line listing dataset using a reverse engineering model shared by countries within the Regional Office for Africa was analyzed. Patients diagnosed within 1 March 2020 and 1 September 2020 with confirmed positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Childrens data were stratified into three age groups: 0-4 years, 5-11 years, and 12-17 years, while adults were combined. The cumulative incidence of cases including its medians and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results9% of the total confirmed cases and 2.4% of the reported deaths were pediatric cases. The 12-17 age group in all 15 countries showed the highest cumulative incidence proportion in children. COVID-19 cases in males and females under the age of 18 were evenly distributed. Among adults, a higher case incidence per 100,000 people was observed compared to children. ConclusionThe cases and deaths within the childrens population was smaller than the adult population. These differences can reflect biases in COVID-19 testing protocols and reporting implemented by countries, highlighting the need for more extensive investigation and focus on the effects of COVID-19 in children.

SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...