COVID-19 mortality and its associated factors in Nepal: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: Reports from other countries have indicated that severe forms and fatal cases of COVID-19 in older adults and people with underlying comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 12 to July 23, 2021 to identify the underlying factors associated with COVID-19 deaths. Our sample included all cases diagnosed and registered as COVID-19–related deaths at 30 hospitals of Nepal. RESULTS: A total of 1459 COVID-19 hospital-based death records were collected from 30 hospitals. Mean age at death was 60.2 (±15.6) years. One-third of cases were admitted with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The computerized tomography Severity Score showed that 7.3% of the individuals who underwent high-resolution computerized tomography chest had a severe form of lung involvement, and 3.6% had mild to moderate involvement. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (43.7%) followed by diabetes mellitus (25.8%). Among the deceased, 37.7% were diagnosed as cases of COVID-19 pneumonia. The most common recorded causes of death were respiratory failure followed by cardio-pulmonary arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with comorbidities including hypertension and diabetes mellitus were at greater risk of developing complications and had a higher rate of mortality.