Factors Associated with Poor Treatment Outcome among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in South Central, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Deaths due to COVID-19 are common among the elderly, especially among individuals with underlying illnesses. The pandemic of the COVID-19 impaired the mental, psychological, and physical well-being of people admitted to hospitals. Furthermore, in underdeveloped countries, scarcity of medical equipment was a challenge to manage cases in public health facilities. Thus, understanding the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients who are receiving treatment is critical for developing effective treatments and assessing service quality. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the treatment outcomes and associated factors among patients affected by the COVID-19 virus. METHOD: We used an institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 398 patients discharged in South Central, Ethiopia, between June 1, 2020, and July 5, 2021. Data were extracted using the data abstraction format. Data were entered, coded, and analyzed using the STATA 16 software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors associated with poor treatment outcomes. A 95% confidence interval with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and p value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULT: In our study, the proportion of poor treatment outcomes was 61 (15.3%). Chronic pulmonary disease (AOR = 5.62; 95% CI: 2.49–12.70), asthma (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.17–6.67), chronic kidney disease (AOR = 4.81; 95% CI: 1.27–18.22),diabetic mellitus (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.02–5.09), HIV positive (AOR = 10.44; 95% CI: 3.0–36.35), worsening conditions (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.17–11.95), and age 55 and above years (AOR = 4.35, 95% CI: 1.30–14.60) were statistically associated with poor treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: We found a significant number of patients had favourable treatment. Moreover, aging, having complicated situations at admission, and chronic illnesses such as COPD, CKD, asthma, diabetic mellitus, and HIV/AIDS participants were significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes. Therefore, critical follow–up and management of patients with underlying diseases and worsening health conditions during admission is required.