Factors associated with COVID-19 infections and mortality in Africa: a cross-sectional study using publicly available data.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat. This elicits questions on the level of preparedness and capacity of health systems to respond to emergencies relative to other parts of the world.

Methods

This cross-sectional study uses publicly available core health data for 53 African countries to determine risk factors for cumulative COVID-19 deaths and cases per million in all countries in the continent. Descriptive statistics were determined for the indicators, and a negative binomial regression was used for modelling the risk factors.

Results

In sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in the number of nursing and midwifery personnel decreased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0178), while a unit increase in universal healthcare (UHC) index of service coverag

SUBMITTER: Okeahalam C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7661348 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature