COVID-19 deaths and associated demographic factors in Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Introduction: To date, the total number of COVID-19 deaths is still increasing, including in Central Java, with the third-highest total number of deaths in Indonesia. There are still limited studies related to the cases of COVID-19. Thus, this study's objective was to provide an overview of the characteristics of 4359 COVID-19 death cases in Central Java.

Methods: This research used a cross-sectional descriptive design with univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis involving secondary data acquired from a report by the Provincial Health Office of Central Java, recorded up to 13 December 2020.

Results: The results showed that the highest frequencies of death cases were contributed from ≥60 years group (n=1897 patients; 43.52%) and the male (n=2497 patients; 57.28%) group. The case fatality rate (CFR) rose with age, and the highest CFR was recorded in the elderly (17.95%), males (7.60%), in Pati District (17.45%), while entrepreneur (14.64%) was the highest reported job. Furthermore, the eldest group (≥60 years) and males were more susceptible to die, with ORs 5.49 (95%CI: 5.15-5.86) and 1.61 (95%CI: 1.51-1.71), sequentially. The majority of death cases had comorbidities (65.79%), while the most prevalent reported comorbidities were diabetes (n=1387, 31.82%) and hypertension (n=817, 18.74%). Meanwhile, patients of old age were more likely to associate comorbidity, p<0.001, OR 1.664 (95%CI: 1.425-1.944).

Conclusions: This study concludes that patients of older age and males may become more vulnerable than younger and females to experience death. Further study is required to measure the relationship between other characteristics of demographics, underlying medical conditions, and fatality.

Keywords: CFR; COVID-19; age; comorbidities; gender.

Figure 1. Case fatality rate (CFR) based on regencies and cities (%)

Figure 2. COVID-19 case prevalence in Central Java from March to December 2020