An Analysis of COVID-19 Statistics in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Study of Demographic Patterns, Geographic Distribution, and Prevalent Symptoms from April 2020 to March 2021

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an acute infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which is characterized mainly by fever and cough and is capable of progressing to severe symptoms and in some cases death.

Aims: To analyze COVID-19 statistics in Rivers State, Nigeria, during the specified period to contribute to the broader understanding of the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the region.

Methodology:

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving the retrieval of secondary data.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Epidemiology Division of the Rivers State Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, in December 2022.

Participants: A total of 6,299 patients recorded between April 2020 to March 2021 in the Epidemiology Unit were included in the study. Patients with incomplete data were excluded from the analysis.

Data Collection and Analysis: Secondary data recorded in Excel format was retrieved from the Epidemiology Unit of the Rivers State Ministry of Health. The data was then exported to IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 25 for analysis. Frequencies were generated and reported in tabular format.

Ethical Considerations: Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the State Ministry of Health Board, Port Harcourt, ensuring compliance with ethical standards in research and the University of Port Harcourt Ethics Committee to the State Hospital Board.

Results: The mortality rate stood at 1.4%. Port Harcourt Local Government Area (LGA) accounted for approximately two-thirds of all infections, while nearly one-third originated from Obio/Akpor LGA. Among those infected, 17.4% reported a history of travel, while 1% had attended a burial before contracting the virus. Symptomatic presentation was prevalent, with four out of every five confirmed cases (76.9%) experiencing various symptoms, with sore throat emerging as a common presentation alongside fever and other symptoms.

Significant disparities were observed concerning the sex and age distribution of infections (p < 0.0001). Males were more affected than females, and individuals within the age groups of 31-40 and 41-50 constituted three-fifths of the total infections.

Conclusion: As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, a notable shift in infection rates emerged, highlighting a trend where younger demographics, notably women, became increasingly susceptible. Despite initial perceptions of heightened severity and mortality among older males, nuanced analysis revealed diverse vulnerabilities across gender and age spectrums. Occupational exposures, biological variations, and behavioural disparities all contributed to the observed gender discrepancies in infection rates and outcomes. Furthermore, the urban landscape, with its higher population density and increased mobility, served as a catalyst for the rapid spread of the virus, albeit impacting genders in differing proportions.

Moreover, the varied presentation of symptoms, with sore throat emerging as a prevalent feature alongside fever and other manifestations, underscores the necessity for tailored public health interventions.