1. Clinical presentation of COVID-19 at the time of testing and factors associated with pre-symptomatic cases in Cameroon
- Author
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Tejiokem Mathurin Cyrille, Sadeuh-Mba Serge, Tchatchueng Mbougwa Jules Brice, Tagnouokam Ngoupo Paul Alain, Ngondi Grace, Fokam Joseph, Hamadou Achta, Nke Gisèle, Nwobegahay Julius, Tongo Marcel, Sander Melissa, Ndip Lucy, Perraut Ronald, Okomo Assoumou Marie Claire, Pefura Yone Eric Walter, Etoundi Mballa Georges Alain, Njouom Richard, and Eyangoh Sara
- Abstract
To describe the clinical features at time of testing and explore factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-symptomatic cases in Cameroon.Data was collected on people in Cameroon who participated in COVID-19 testing by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction between 1 March and 5 October 2020. After descriptive analysis, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-symptomatic cases.Of 85 206 test participants, 14 863 (17.4%) were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The median age for cases was 38.4 years (interquartile range 29.6-49.4); 6.1% were aged19 years, and 6.3% were ≥65 years. Of these cases, 46.5% had at least one symptom/sign with a median time from illness onset to testing of 6 days (interquartile range 3-9). Cough (64.2%), headache (46.5%), fatigue/malaise (46.0%), shortness of breath (30.6%) and myalgia/arthralgia (25.6%) were the most commonly observed symptoms/signs. Pre-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with age50 years, being male and absence of comorbidities.This study provides a comprehensive summary of the early clinical profile of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the first wave of COVID-19 in Cameroon, which was dominated by pre-symptomatic illness. These findings would be helpful for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and control at a regional level.
- Published
- 2022