Health related factors contributing to COVID-19 fatality rates in various communities across the world.

INTRODUCTION: Factors such as comorbidity, age and gender distribution are mostly related to hospitalization, numbers requiring intensive care and case fatality rate. In this review, the fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different population health background according to comorbidity, age, gender distribution, and laboratory prognosis for COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: The current review was based on the data from copious studies that had homogeneity in relation to the review's objectives. It included the newest studies from December 2019 to September 2020. The epidemiological reasons for the high morbidity and mortality rates among COVID-19 patients were analyzed in different countries. RESULTS: The highest comorbidity prevalence of COVID-19 was recorded in the United States of America (USA) (93.9%) and Italy (68%). Among population health background factors, comorbidity was the most common cause of COVID-19 fatality in the USA. The mean age of the most COVID-19 fatalities was more than 60 years old. Most of the studies show that 60% of COVID-19 patients were male. The fatality rates for the age group of 80-89 years-old in Korea, China, and Italy were 8.7 %, 14.7 %, and 18.8 % respectively. Lymphocytopenia has been observed in 91% of COVID-19 death cases. C - reactive protein had increased in 40-60% of COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors contribute to COVID-19 severity and fatality rates. Comorbidity, age, and gender were the main reasons for the Case Fatality Rate. This review recommends to follow preventive measures for overcoming the challenges faced during this emerging pandemic disease.

Women's delay in presenting breast cancer symptoms in Kurdistan-Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Women in developing countries usually delay in presenting their symptoms as a part of the early diagnosis program. This study was conducted for analyzing the reason of patient's delay and its relation with socioeconomic and health conditions, knowledge, and women's belief about breast cancer (BC). METHODOLOGY: This study used a cross-sectional design in the early detection center in Kurdistan (North Iraq). Women were interviewed about socioeconomic and health background, knowledge, and belief about BC. RESULTS: The median of patient delay in the BC symptomatic women in this study was higher (30 days) as compared with developed countries. Patient delay was longer in women who were widows, had a barely self-perceived economic status, and had chronic diseases. There was a significant relationship of patient delay with women's health motivation and perceived barrier to seeking medical care. CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion program should emphasize on the women's motivation about early diagnosis and seeking to early detection.