The burden of respiratory conditions in the emergency department of Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional descriptive study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000781
• Publication Date: 2022-12-09T18:22:55Z
• Authors: Harrieth P. Ndumwa; Erick A. Mboya; Davis Elias Amani; Ramadhani Mashoka; Paulina Nicholaus; Rashan Haniffa; Abi Beane; Juma Mfinanga; Bruno Sunguya; Hendry R. Sawe; Tim Baker
• Keywords: Pandemic

Globally, respiratory diseases cause 10 million deaths every year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, burden of illness increased and led to significant morbidity mortality in both high- low-income countries. This study assessed trend conditions among patients presenting emergency department Muhimbili National Hospital Tanzania compared with national data determine if this knowledge may be useful for surveillance disease outbreaks settings limited specific diagnostic testing. The used routinely collected from electronic information system Emergency Medical Department (EMD) Tanzania. All EMD a 2-year period, 2020 2021 were included. Descriptive statistics graphical visualizations describe trends over time compare Tanzanian during same period. One four who presented had condition- 1039 per month. Of 24,942 patients, 52% males, median age (IQR) was 34.7 (21.7, 53.7) years. most common diagnoses pneumonia (52%), upper tract infections (31%), asthma (4.8%) suspected (2.5%). There peaks coinciding waves data. We conclude that is high. shows 2020-2021 seen coincide Real-time hospital-based tools early detection other public health emergencies