1 College of Medicine, University of Abuja & University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Nigeria.
2 College of Medicine, University of Ibadan & University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria.
Review Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(02), 229–239
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.2.0239
Received on 27 December 2022; revised on 05 February 2023; accepted on 07 February 2023
Background: COVID-19 is a disease of public health importance that is highly transmissible and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There has been concern that the pandemic will result in mass deaths in Africa as a result of the weak health system and insecurity on the continent. However, the evidence available did not support the assumption.
Aims & Objectives: This communication presents a systematic review on factors associated with low COVID-19 related mortality in Africa.
Materials and Methods: We searched the Google scholar, MEDLINE, Embase, Publius Ovidius Naso and Cochrane databases for all studies on COVID-19 related deaths in Africa published in English language from December 2019 to January, 2021. The references of relevant articles were also searched for additional publications. Data from the studies were independently extracted and assessed by the three authors using a standardised form. There was consensus among the authors on the selected studies used in this review. Results: Twenty-one studies were identified and independently assessed based on the objectives of the study by the authors. All the studies presented at least a factor that could possibly be associated with low death rate from COVID-19 in Africa.
Conclusion: Younger population age, cross and herd immunities, previous BCG vaccination, relative hot climatic advantage, community practice and dominance of blood group O were main factors suggested to be associated with low mortality rate from the pandemic in Africa.
Africa; BCG; Blood group O; COVID-19; Deaths; Hot climate
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Titus Sunday IBEKWE, Ayotunde James FASUNLA and Emmanuel Adebola ORIMADEGUN. Characteristics and factors associated with COVID-19-related deaths in Africans. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 17(2), 229-239. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.17.2.0239