BMC Infectious Diseases (Jun 2022)

Associations between COVID-19 testing status, non-communicable diseases and HIV status among residents of sub-Saharan Africa during the first wave of the pandemic

  • Morenike O. Folayan,
  • Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga,
  • Jorma I. Virtanen,
  • Maha El Tantawi,
  • Giuliana Florencia Abeldaño,
  • Anthonia Omotola Ishabiyi,
  • Mohammed Jafer,
  • Nuraldeen Maher Al-Khanati,
  • Mir Faeq Ali Quadri,
  • Muhammad Abrar Yousaf,
  • Passent Ellakany,
  • Ntombifuthi Nzimande,
  • Eshrat Ara,
  • Zumama Khalid,
  • Folake Barakat Lawal,
  • Joanne Lusher,
  • Bamidele O. Popoola,
  • Ifeoma Idigbe,
  • Abeedha Tu-Allah Khan,
  • Martin Amogre Ayanore,
  • Balgis Gaffar,
  • Bamidele Emmanuel Osamika,
  • Nourhan M. Aly,
  • Nicaise Ndembi,
  • Annie Lu Nguyen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-022-07498-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background This study determined if non-communicable disease status, HIV status, COVID-19 status and co-habiting were associated with COVID-19 test status in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Data of 5945 respondents age 18-years-old and above from 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa collected through an online survey conducted between June and December 2020, were extracted. The dependent variable was COVID-19 status (testing positive for COVID-19 and having symptoms of COVID-19 but not getting tested). The independent variables were non-communicable disease status (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, respiratory conditions, depression), HIV positive status, COVID-19 status (knowing a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19 and someone who died from COVID-19) and co-habiting (yes/no). Two binary logistic regression models developed to determine associations between the dependent and independent variables were adjusted for age, sex, employment, sub region and educational status. Results Having a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19 (AOR:6.747), knowing someone who died from COVID-19 infection (AOR:1.732), and living with other people (AOR:1.512) were significantly associated with higher odds of testing positive for COVID-19 infection, while living with HIV was associated with significantly lower odds of testing positive for COVID-19 infection (AOR:0.284). Also, respondents with respiratory conditions (AOR:2.487), self-reported depression (AOR:1.901), those who had a close friend who tested positive for COVID-19 infection (AOR:2.562) and who knew someone who died from COVID-19 infection (AOR:1.811) had significantly higher odds of having symptoms of COVID-19 infection but not getting tested. Conclusion Non-communicable diseases seem not to increase the risk for COVID-19 positive test while cohabiting seems to reduce this risk. The likelihood that those who know someone who tested positive to or who died from COVID-19 not getting tested when symptomatic suggests there is poor contact tracing in the region. People with respiratory conditions and depression need support to get tested for COVID-19.

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