The effect of limited healthcare access on poor outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Honduras: A single center cohort study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24015
• Publication Date: 2024-01-04T01:09:25Z
• Authors: César Alas-Pineda; David Aguilar-Andino; Francisco Antonio...; Gissela María Pad...; Andrea N. Umaña; Luis Romero Reyes; Alejandro Cárcamo; Ana Liliam Osorio; Julio Zuniga-Moya; Eleazar Montalvan...; Travis J. Atchley; Nicholas Michael ...; Dagoberto Estevez...; Orlando Garner; Dalton Argean Nor...
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Center (category theory)

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on the Latin American subcontinent, particularly in areas with limited hospital resources and restricted Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity. This study aimed to provide comprehensive description of clinical characteristics, outcomes, factors associated survival hospitalized patients Honduras.Research questionWhat were characteristics outcomes large referral center Honduras?Study design methodsThis employed retrospective cohort conducted single San Pedro Sula, Honduras, between October 2020 March 2021. All cases confirmed during this timeframe included analysis. Univariable multivariable analysis performed using Kaplan-Meier curves Cox proportional hazards model aiming identify decreased 30 day in-hospital survival, priori-selected factors.ResultsA total 929 identified cohort, males accounting for 55.4 % cases. The case fatality rate among was found be 50.1 corresponding 466 deaths. Patients comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, obstructive pulmonary disease cardiovascular higher likelihood mortality. Additionally, non-survivors significantly longer time from illness onset admission compared survivors (8.2 days vs 4.7 days). Among 306 (32.9 %) met criteria ICU admission. However, due capacity, only 60 (19·6 admitted ICU. Importantly, that unable receive level-appropriate care lower those who received (hazard ratio: 1.84).InterpretationThis represents, largest investigation Honduras Central America. findings highlight substantial patients. In study, couldn't (ICU admission) when did. These results underscore significant healthcare access pandemic, low- middle-income countries.