Predictors of severe hypoxemia among COVID-19 patients in Burkina Faso (West Africa): Findings from hospital based cross-sectional study

Int J Infect Dis. 2021 Jul:108:289-295. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.007. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is one of the world's major health crises. The objective of this study was to determine the predictive factors of severe hypoxemia in patients hospitalized in COVID-19 health facilities in Burkina Faso.

Patients and method: This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. The data collected relate to the period of the first wave of the epidemic (March 9 to June 30, 2020). All patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in the requisitioned health facilities of Ouagadougou were included in this study. Predictors of severe hypoxemia were identified using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results: During the study period, 442 patients were included, representing 45.7% of the total number of positive patients in the entire country. The most common co-morbidities were diabetes (55; 12.4%) and arterial hypertension (97; 21.9%). Severe hypoxemia (SpO2 < 90%) was observed in 64 patients (14.5%). Age over 65 years (OR = 8.24; 95% CI: 2.83-24.01) and diabetes (OR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.17-5.06) were the predictors for occurrence of severe hypoxemia in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: The predictive factors of COVID-19 are similar in African and Caucasian populations. The surveillance of COVID-19 in risk groups should be strengthened to reduce their morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19; Diabetes; Elderly; Hypoxemia; Severe form.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Burkina Faso / epidemiology
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / epidemiology
  • Hypoxia / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2