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 1st March 2021 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 hospitalisation, 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.

Funding: None declared.

Keywords: COVAX; COVID-19; GIDC; Ga East; Ghana; SARS-CoV-2; vaccination status.