Comparative Analysis Of Clinical Characteristics Of COVID-19 Among Vaccinated And Unvaccinated Patients In A Major Treatment Facility In Ghana

Abstract

Objectives: To compare clinical characteristics of COVID-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in a major treatment facility in Ghana. Design: A retrospective study drawing on data from COVID-19 patients’ records visiting the facility from March 2021 to December 2021. Setting: Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, Ga East Municipality, Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Participants: In-patients and outpatients who reported to the facility from March 1 to December 2021 were included in the study, and patients with missing data on vaccination were excluded. Outcome measures: underlying conditions, symptoms, case management information, hospital service rendered (OPD, HDU or ICU), length of hospital stay, treatment outcome Results: The study included 775 patient records, comprising 615 OPD and 160 hospitalised cases. Less than one-third (26.25%; 42) of the patients hospitalised were vaccinated, compared to almost 40.0% (39.02%; 240) of the patients seen at the OPD. Vaccinated individuals were nearly three times (aOR = 2.72, 95%CI: 1.74–4.25) more likely to be managed on an outpatient basis as compared to the unvaccinated. The death rate among the vaccinated group and the unvaccinated were (0.71%; 2) and (3.45%; 17), respectively, with a significant reduction in the risk of dying among the vaccinated compared to the unvaccinated (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.028–0.554). Conclusions: Less than half of the in-patient and OPD patients were vaccinated. Mild infections, fewer days of hospitalization, outpatient treatment, and higher chances of survival were associated with being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Prudent measures should be implemented to encourage the general public to take up SARS-CoV-2 vaccines