Presenting Nutrition Characteristics, Comorbidities and Outcomes of COVID-19 in African Humanitarian Settings

Presenting Nutrition Characteristics, Comorbidities and Outcomes of COVID-19 in African Humanitarian Settings: a Prospective Cohort Study in South Sudan and DRC

This study will characterize risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization, death) and clinical progression of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in South Sudan and Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A prospective cohort design will be used to follow suspected, probable, and confirmed COVID-19 cases presenting for care at International Medical Corp [supported] health facilities in Juba, South Sudan and the Kivus in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This research seeks to assess risk factors for poor outcomes and characterize clinical disease progression of COVID-19 cases in resource-poor humanitarian contexts in Africa. Specifically, this study aims to characterize risk factors for poor COVID-19 outcomes, including both co-morbidities with evidence from high income settings, as well as prevalent conditions in humanitarian settings (e.g., acute malnutrition, malaria, HIV) for which data is not yet available. This research also aims to determine how the progression of confirmed COVID-19 cases in resource-poor African settings may differ from other settings where data are available.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Suspected, probable, and confirmed COVID-19 cases presenting for care at participating health facilities (either by walk-in, referral or transfer) or identified by mobile contact tracing teams.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals unable or unwilling to give informed consent (e.g., due to mental impairment)