Risk factors for COVID-19 infection, disease severity and related deaths in Africa: a systematic review

Gesesew, HA; Koye, DN; Fetene, DM; Woldegiorgis, M; Kinfu, Y; Geleto, AB; Melaku, YA; Mohammed, H; Alene, KA; Awoke, MA; Birhanu, MM; Gebremedhin, AT; Gelaw, YA; Shifti, DM; Muluneh, MD; Tegegne, TK; Abrha, S; Aregay, AF; Ayalew, MB; Gebre, AK; Gebremariam, KT; Gebremedhin, T; Gebremichael, L; Leshargie, CT; Kibret, GD; Meazaw, MW; Mekonnen, AB; Tekle, DY; Tesema, AG; Tesfay, FH; Tesfaye, W; Wubishet, BL; Dachew, BA; Adane, AA

Risk factors for COVID-19 infection, disease severity and related deaths in Africa: a systematic review

Gesesew, HA Koye, DN Fetene, DM Woldegiorgis, M Kinfu, Y Geleto, AB Melaku, YA Mohammed, H Alene, KA Awoke, MA Birhanu, MM Gebremedhin, AT Gelaw, YA Shifti, DM Muluneh, MD Tegegne, TK Abrha, S Aregay, AF Ayalew, MB Gebre, AK Gebremariam, KT Gebremedhin, T Gebremichael, L Leshargie, CT Kibret, GD Meazaw, MW Mekonnen, AB Tekle, DY Tesema, AG Tesfay, FH Tesfaye, W Wubishet, BL Dachew, BA Adane, AA

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Publisher:: BMJ Journals
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMJ Open, 2021, 11, (2), pp. 1-10
Issue Date:: 2021-02-18

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Gesesew, HA
dc.contributor.author	Koye, DN
dc.contributor.author	Fetene, DM
dc.contributor.author	Woldegiorgis, M
dc.contributor.author	Kinfu, Y
dc.contributor.author	Geleto, AB
dc.contributor.author	Melaku, YA
dc.contributor.author	Mohammed, H
dc.contributor.author	Alene, KA
dc.contributor.author	Awoke, MA
dc.contributor.author	Birhanu, MM
dc.contributor.author	Gebremedhin, AT
dc.contributor.author	Gelaw, YA
dc.contributor.author	Shifti, DM
dc.contributor.author	Muluneh, MD
dc.contributor.author	Tegegne, TK
dc.contributor.author	Abrha, S
dc.contributor.author	Aregay, AF
dc.contributor.author	Ayalew, MB
dc.contributor.author	Gebre, AK
dc.contributor.author	Gebremariam, KT
dc.contributor.author	Gebremedhin, T
dc.contributor.author	Gebremichael, L
dc.contributor.author	Leshargie, CT
dc.contributor.author	Kibret, GD
dc.contributor.author	Meazaw, MW
dc.contributor.author	Mekonnen, AB
dc.contributor.author	Tekle, DY
dc.contributor.author	Tesema, AG
dc.contributor.author	Tesfay, FH
dc.contributor.author	Tesfaye, W
dc.contributor.author	Wubishet, BL
dc.contributor.author	Dachew, BA
dc.contributor.author	Adane, AA
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-03T03:28:27Z
dc.date.available	2021-12-03T03:28:27Z
dc.date.issued	2021-02-18
dc.identifier.citation	BMJ Open, 2021, 11, (2), pp. 1-10
dc.identifier.issn	2044-6055
dc.identifier.issn	2044-6055
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152053
dc.description.abstract	Objective The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive evidence on risk factors for transmission, disease severity and COVID-19 related deaths in Africa. Design A systematic review has been conducted to synthesise existing evidence on risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes across Africa. Data sources Data were systematically searched from MEDLINE, Scopus, MedRxiv and BioRxiv. Eligibility criteria Studies for review were included if they were published in English and reported at least one risk factor and/or one health outcome. We included all relevant literature published up until 11 August 2020. Data extraction and synthesis We performed a systematic narrative synthesis to describe the available studies for each outcome. Data were extracted using a standardised Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction form. Results Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria of which four were exclusively on Africa and the remaining 11 papers had a global focus with some data from Africa. Higher rates of infection in Africa are associated with high population density, urbanisation, transport connectivity, high volume of tourism and international trade, and high level of economic and political openness. Limited or poor access to healthcare are also associated with higher COVID-19 infection rates. Older people and individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and anaemia experience severe forms COVID-19 leading to hospitalisation and death. Similarly, high burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high prevalence of tobacco consumption and low levels of expenditure on health and low levels of global health security score contribute to COVID-19 related deaths. Conclusions Demographic, institutional, ecological, health system and politico-economic factors influenced the spectrum of COVID-19 infection, severity and death. We recommend multidisciplinary and integrated approaches to mitigate the identified factors and strengthen effective prevention strategies.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMJ Journals
dc.relation.ispartof	BMJ Open
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044618
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Severity of Illness Index
dc.subject.mesh	Risk Factors
dc.subject.mesh	Africa
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Africa
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Risk Factors
dc.subject.mesh	Severity of Illness Index
dc.title	Risk factors for COVID-19 infection, disease severity and related deaths in Africa: a systematic review
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	11
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Public Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-12-03T03:28:24Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	11
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Objective The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive evidence on risk factors for transmission, disease severity and COVID-19 related deaths in Africa. Design A systematic review has been conducted to synthesise existing evidence on risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes across Africa. Data sources Data were systematically searched from MEDLINE, Scopus, MedRxiv and BioRxiv. Eligibility criteria Studies for review were included if they were published in English and reported at least one risk factor and/or one health outcome. We included all relevant literature published up until 11 August 2020. Data extraction and synthesis We performed a systematic narrative synthesis to describe the available studies for each outcome. Data were extracted using a standardised Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction form. Results Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria of which four were exclusively on Africa and the remaining 11 papers had a global focus with some data from Africa. Higher rates of infection in Africa are associated with high population density, urbanisation, transport connectivity, high volume of tourism and international trade, and high level of economic and political openness. Limited or poor access to healthcare are also associated with higher COVID-19 infection rates. Older people and individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and anaemia experience severe forms COVID-19 leading to hospitalisation and death. Similarly, high burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high prevalence of tobacco consumption and low levels of expenditure on health and low levels of global health security score contribute to COVID-19 related deaths. Conclusions Demographic, institutional, ecological, health system and politico-economic factors influenced the spectrum of COVID-19 infection, severity and death. We recommend multidisciplinary and integrated approaches to mitigate the identified factors and strengthen effective prevention strategies.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152053