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Coronavirus disease-2019 morbidity and mortality among health care workers in Uganda
Leoson Junior Ssetaba1, Joy Mirembe1, Jotham Omega2
1School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Insights
Health care workers (HCWs) in Uganda experienced substantial COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, with low vaccination rates and increased oxygen therapy needs. Nurses faced the highest burden, highlighting risks for this essential group.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Health care workers (HCWs) face elevated risks of acquiring COVID-19.
- Understanding the specific morbidity and mortality rates among HCWs is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare COVID-19 morbidity and mortality rates between HCWs and the general population (non-HCWs) in Uganda.
- To identify specific clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with COVID-19 in HCWs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital COVID-19 Treatment Unit (CTU).
- Data collected between March 2020 and September 2021, excluding participants with missing occupation information.
Main Results:
- HCWs were younger than non-HCWs but showed similar rates of severe disease, vaccination status, and mortality.
- A significantly higher proportion of HCWs required oxygen therapy and experienced rhinorrhoea.
- Nurses represented the highest morbidity and mortality subgroup among HCWs.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 morbidity and mortality among Ugandan HCWs were substantial.
- Low vaccination rates and increased oxygen therapy requirements were noted in HCWs despite younger age.
- Findings underscore the vulnerability of HCWs and the need for enhanced protective measures and vaccination strategies.
Background:
Health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to determine and compare the morbidity and mortality rates due to COVID-19 among the HCWs and the general population (non-HCWs).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective chart review. We accessed electronic database of participants admitted at Mulago National Referral Hospital COVID-19 Treatment Unit (CTU) between March 2020 and September 2021. Participants with missing occupations were excluded.
Results:
Of 594 eligible participants, 6.4% (n = 38) were HCWs. Compared with non-HCWs, HCWs were much younger (48 versus 55 years, p = 0.020). The proportion of participants with severe disease (73.7% versus 77.6%, p = 0.442), who had not received COVID-19 vaccine (91.2% versus 94.7%, p = 0.423), mortality rate (44.7% versus 54.8%, p = 0.243) and the median length of hospitalization (6 versus 7 days, p = 0.913) were similar among HCWs and non-HCWs, respectively. A higher proportion of HCWs required oxygen therapy (24.3% versus 9.7%, p < 0.01). At admission, the presence of cough (p = 0.723), breathlessness (p = 0.722), fever (p = 0.19), sore throat (p = 0.133), comorbidities (p = 0.403) and headache (p = 0.162) were similar across groups. Rhinorrhoea was more common among HCWs (34.4% versus 16.6%, p = 0.017). Among HCWs, nurses had the highest morbidity (52.6%) and mortality (58.8%).
Conclusion:
The morbidity and mortality among HCWs in Uganda were substantial, with a low COVID-19 vaccination rate and a higher requirement for oxygen therapy despite a younger age.
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