Abstract

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and became pandemic after emerging in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Several studies have been conducted to understand the key features of COVID-19 and its public health impact. However, the prognostic factors of COVID-19 are not well studied in the African setting. In this study, we aim to determine the epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 cases, immunological and virological courses, interaction with nutritional status, and response to treatment for COVID-19 patients in Ethiopia.

Methods

A multi-center cohort study design will be performed. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted to selected treatment centers will be enrolled irrespective of their symptoms and followed-up for 12 months. Baseline epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and imaging data will be collected from treatment records, interviews, physical measurements, and biological samples. Follow-up data collection involves treatment and prognostic outcomes to be measured using different biomarkers and clinical parameters. Data collection will be done electronically using the Open Data Kit (ODK) software package and then exported to STATA/SPSS for analysis. Both descriptive and multivariable analyses will be performed to assess the independent determinants of the treatment outcome and prognosis to generate relevant information for informed prevention and case management. The primary outcomes of this study are death/survival and viral shedding. Secondary outcomes include epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, genetic frequency shifts (genotypic variations), and nutritional status.

Discussion

This is the first large prospective cohort study of patients in hospitals with COVID-19 in Ethiopia. The results will enable us to better understand the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa. This study will also provide useful information for effective public health measures and future pandemic preparedness and in response to outbreaks. It will also support policymakers in managing the epidemic based on scientific evidence.

Trial Registration: The Protocol prospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04584424) on 30 October, 2020.

Details

Title
Prognostic factors and outcomes of COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia: multi-center cohort study protocol
Author
Abdella, Saro; Tessema, Masresha  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Tasew, Geremew; Defar, Atkure; Asefa Deressa; Regasa, Feyisa; Teka, Frehiwot; Tigabu, Eyasu; Nigussie, Dereje; Tefera Belachew; Million Molla; Deribew, Amare; Abebe, Workeabeba; Yigzaw, Tegbar; Nigatu, Tsinuel; Mitike, Getnet; Haile, Tewodros; Taame, Haftom; Ahmed, Muhammed; Nigatu, Frehiwot; Tola Tolesa; Wolka, Eskinder; Amogne, Wondwossen; Laillou, Arnaud; Misker Amare; Fufa, Yaregal; Argaw, Alemayehu; Woldesenbet Waganew; Azazh, Akilili; Worku, Aschalew; Redae, Berhane; Sultan, Menbeu; Walelegn, Miraf; Tefera, Muluwork; Sisay Yifru; Argaw, Rahel; Brehau, Natinael; Teklu, Sisay; Demoz, Getachew; Seman, Yakob; Salasibew, Mihretab; Ejeta, Eshetu; Whiting, Susan J; Wolday, Dawit; Tollera, Getachew; Abate, Ebba; Duguma, Dereje
Pages
1-7
Section
Study protocol
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
e-ISSN
14712334
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06652-0
ProQuest document ID
2574472531
Copyright
© 2021. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.