COVID-19 MORBIDITY, MORTALITY AND RISK FACTORS IN BLUE NILE STATE, SUDAN, 2020-2022

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, Hubei province of China in December 2019 by the Chinese Center for Disease and Prevention from the throat swab of a patient and the virus is named severe acute respiratory distress CoV-2 by WHO which causes Coronaviruses disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the COVID-19 morbidity and mortality and risk factors in Blue Nile State, 2020-2022. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross sectional study health facility-based. The study was conducted in Blue Nile State. All patients during the outbreak attending to health facilities with COVID-19 symptoms. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Descriptive statistics was used. Chi-square test was used to find an association between variables. P-value considered significant at less than 0.05 levels. Results: The vast majority of corona virus cases were reported in Eldamazin locality 89.5% followed by Elroseris locality 8.4%. The prevalence of corona virus was 149 (44.7%) out of 333 patients tested among patients in Blue Nile State in the period from 2020-2022. The diseases were confirmed by PCR 43(28.9%) while 106 (71.1%) was confirmed by ICT. This infection rate was relatively low compared to worldwide pandemic of corona virus since the emergence of the virus in china. Also the proportion of death (1.5%) and CFR is very low (.0015/1000 population). The most of corona virus cases were reported among age group ranged between 20-49 years (77%). more than two thirds 63.1% of the patients were male while 36.9% were female. Fever and cough was significantly associated with corona virus infection. Most of deaths were significantly occurred among age group more than 60 years (60%). However older age was found as a potential risk factor for death among COVID-19 patients. The morbidity affected by occupation. Conclusion: The prevalence of COVID-19 and case fatality rate in Blue Nile State was very low compared to globally pandemic. The prevalence of mortality of patients with COVID-19 is greatly affected by older age groups while the morbidity affected by occupation. Creation of awareness about infection prevention of COVID-19 is very crucial.