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Review
. 2022 Dec 30:12:15001.
doi: 10.7189/jogh.12.15001.

Characterization of COVID-19 cases in the early phase (March to July 2020) of the pandemic in Kenya

Philip Ngere  1   2 , Joyce Onsongo  3 , Daniel Langat  1 , Elizabeth Nzioka  4 , Faith Mudachi  5 , Samuel Kadivane  1 , Bernard Chege  4 , Elvis Kirui  6 , Ian Were  7 , Stephen Mutiso  5 , Amos Kibisu  4 , Josephine Ihahi  4 , Gladys Mutethya  4 , Trufosa Mochache  3 , Peter Lokamar  6 , Waqo Boru  8 , Lyndah Makayotto  1 , Emmanuel Okunga  1 , Nollascus Ganda  3 , Adam Haji  3 , Carolyne Gathenji  3 , Winfred Kariuki  3 , Eric Osoro  2 , Kadondi Kasera  4 , Francis Kuria  9 , Rashid Aman  10 , Juliet Nabyonga  3 , Patrick Amoth  7
Affiliations
Review

Characterization of COVID-19 cases in the early phase (March to July 2020) of the pandemic in Kenya

Philip Ngere et al. J Glob Health. .

Abstract

Background: Kenya detected the first case of COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, and as of July 30, 2020, 17 975 cases with 285 deaths (case fatality rate (CFR) = 1.6%) had been reported. This study described the cases during the early phase of the pandemic to provide information for monitoring and response planning in the local context.

Methods: We reviewed COVID-19 case records from isolation centres while considering national representation and the WHO sampling guideline for clinical characterization of the COVID-19 pandemic within a country. Socio-demographic, clinical, and exposure data were summarized using median and mean for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. We assigned exposure variables to socio-demographics, exposure, and contact data, while the clinical spectrum was assigned outcome variables and their associations were assessed.

Results: A total of 2796 case records were reviewed including 2049 (73.3%) male, 852 (30.5%) aged 30-39 years, 2730 (97.6%) Kenyans, 636 (22.7%) transporters, and 743 (26.6%) residents of Nairobi City County. Up to 609 (21.8%) cases had underlying medical conditions, including hypertension (n = 285 (46.8%)), diabetes (n = 211 (34.6%)), and multiple conditions (n = 129 (21.2%)). Out of 1893 (67.7%) cases with likely sources of exposure, 601 (31.8%) were due to international travel. There were 2340 contacts listed for 577 (20.6%) cases, with 632 contacts (27.0%) being traced. The odds of developing COVID-19 symptoms were higher among case who were aged above 60 years (odds ratio (OR) = 1.99, P = 0.007) or had underlying conditions (OR = 2.73, P < 0.001) and lower among transport sector employees (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001). The odds of developing severe COVID-19 disease were higher among cases who had underlying medical conditions (OR = 1.56, P < 0.001) and lower among cases exposed through community gatherings (OR = 0.27, P < 0.001). The odds of survival of cases from COVID-19 disease were higher among transport sector employees (OR = 3.35, P = 0.004); but lower among cases who were aged ≥60 years (OR = 0.58, P = 0.034) and those with underlying conditions (OR = 0.58, P = 0.025).

Conclusion: The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a need to target the elderly and comorbid cases with prevention and control strategies while closely monitoring asymptomatic cases.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of interest: The authors completed the ICMJE Disclosure of Interest Form (available upon request from the corresponding author) and disclose no relevant interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
COVID-19 characterization study counties and isolation sites, Kenya, 2020.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution of cases of COVID-19 by date of admission during the early phases of the pandemic in Kenya.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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