PREVALENCE OF CO-MORBIDITIES AMONG FATAL COVID-19 CASES IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is an infectious illness caused by the novel coronavirus known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study explored the prevalence of              co-morbidities among fatal COVID-19 cases admitted to the Afghan-Japan Communicable Diseases hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Afghan-Japan Communicable Diseases Hospital, Kabul, Afghanistan. The data of fatal COVID-19 cases admitted to this hospital between 20 May and 20 June 2020 was retrospectively retrieved from the patients' documents in the hospital medical records department.

Results: During the study period total of 50 Covid-19 patients died in Afghan-Japan Communicable Diseases Hospital whose diagnosis was confirmed by RT-PCR test. 33 (66%) were males, and 17 (34%) were females. Their mean age was 12.67± 57.6 years. Most patients were aged 50-60 years, and the least were aged 30-40 years. In terms of occupation, 16(32%) were housewives, 9(18%) were unemployed, 7(14%) were teachers, 5(10%) were government officials, 2(4%) were carpenters, 2(4%) were businessmen, 2(4%) were laborers, 1(2%) were doctor, 1(2%) were shopkeeper. 49(98%) were residents of Kabul, while 1(2%) was resident of other provinces. 5 patients (10%) had hypertension, 4(8%) had chronic renal failure, 1 (2%) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 38 patients (76%) had no co-morbidities.

Conclusion: Most of the fatal COVID-19 cases in this study were men aged 50-60 years and residing in Kabul. Hypertension, chronic renal failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the co-morbidities, respectively.