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. 2022 Jan 11:41:26.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.26.30721. eCollection 2022.

Two-month follow-up of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection-Zambia, September 2020: a cohort study

James Exnobert Zulu  1   2   3 , Dabwitso Banda  1   2   4 , Jonas Zajac Hines  5 , Musisye Luchembe  6   7 , Suilanje Sivile  6   7 , Mpanji Siwingwa  6   7 , Davies Kampamba  6   7 , Khozya Davie Zyambo  6   7 , Robert Chirwa  6   7 , Lameck Chirwa  6   7 , Warren Malambo  5 , Danielle Barradas  5 , Nyambe Sinyange  1   2 , Simon Agolory  5 , Lloyd Berdad Mulenga  6   7 , Sombo Fwoloshi  6   7
Affiliations

Two-month follow-up of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection-Zambia, September 2020: a cohort study

James Exnobert Zulu et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is often characterized by an acute upper respiratory tract infection. However, information on longer-term clinical sequelae following acute COVID-19 is emerging. We followed a group of persons with COVID-19 in Zambia at two months to assess persistent symptoms.

Methods: in September 2020, we re-contacted participants from SARS-CoV-2 prevalence studies conducted in Zambia in July 2020 whose polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive. Participants with valid contact information were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that captured demographics, pre-existing conditions, and types and duration of symptoms. We describe the frequency and duration of reported symptoms and used chi-square tests to explore variability of symptoms by age group, gender, and underlying conditions.

Results: of 302 participants, 155 (51%) reported one or more acute COVID-19-related symptoms in July 2020. Cough (50%), rhinorrhoea (36%) and headache (34%) were the most frequently reported symptoms proximal to diagnosis. The median symptom duration was 7 days (IQR: 3-9 days). At a median follow up of 54 days (IQR: 46-59 day), 27 (17%) symptomatic participants had not yet returned to their pre-COVID-19 health status. These participants most commonly reported cough (37%), headache (26%) and chest pain (22%). Age, sex, and pre-existing health conditions were not associated with persistent symptoms.

Conclusion: a notable percentage of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection in July still had symptoms nearly two months after their diagnosis. Zambia is implementing ´post-acute COVID-19 clinics´ to care for patients with prolonged symptoms of COVID-19, to address their needs and better understand how the disease will impact the population over time.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Zambia; cough; follow-up study; headache; long COVID.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
flow diagram of the participation in the two-month follow-up of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection-Zambia, September 2020: a cohort study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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