Temporal trends in the incidence and case severity of COVID-19 cases among the Syrian refugees in Azraq camp in Jordan: A retrospective observational study.
Ahmad Waleed Zghool, Ahmad Alrawashdeh, Zaid I Alkhatib, Sara A Nasser, Natalya Kostandova, Shiromi M Perera, Jomana W Alsulaiman, Adi H Khassawneh, Abdel-Hameed W Al-Mistarehi, Amer Abu-Shanab, Khalid A Kheirallah
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Azraq Syrian refugee camp, located in Jordan, is where the challenges of managing the COVID-19 epidemic meet the vulnerabilities of displaced people. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics, incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of COVID-19 among Azraq camp residents.
Methods: COVID-19 data from Azraq camp were collected by International Medical Corps clinics and analyzed retrospectively from August 1, 2020, to August 31, 2022. Data included demographics, risk factors, testing history, contact tracing, and vaccination profiles. We estimated COVID-19 incidence and analyzed risk factors using Poisson and multilevel logistic regression.
Results: A total of 2,468 confirmed COVID-19 cases were identified, with a prevalence of 5.6 per 100 residents. The camp's monthly incidence rate was more than 50% lower than the national rate, with a 1.7% monthly decrease. Females had a higher incidence than males (6.4% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.001), while the elderly bore the greatest disease burden. Home-based isolation was the main strategy, except during the second wave. Vaccination coverage reached 31.6%, primarily with Pfizer (49.8%). Symptomatic cases made up 44.0% of confirmed cases, with 10.4% requiring hospitalization. Factors independently associated with hospitalization included age, comorbidity, and vaccination status.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for robust surveillance, targeted healthcare interventions, equitable resource allocation, and vaccination campaigns to manage COVID-19 and future epidemics in refugee camps.
背景:位于约旦的阿兹拉克叙利亚难民营是应对2019冠状病毒病疫情挑战和流离失所者脆弱性的地方。本研究旨在调查阿兹拉克难民营居民COVID-19的流行病学特征、发病率、危险因素和结局。方法:收集国际医疗队诊所收集的2020年8月1日至2022年8月31日阿兹拉克难民营COVID-19数据,并进行回顾性分析。数据包括人口统计、危险因素、检测史、接触者追踪和疫苗接种概况。我们估计了COVID-19的发病率,并使用泊松和多水平逻辑回归分析了危险因素。结果:共发现新冠肺炎确诊病例2468例,发病率为5.6 / 100。该营地的月发病率比全国发病率低50%以上,每月下降1.7%。女性发病率高于男性(6.4% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.001),老年人疾病负担最重。居家隔离是主要的策略,第二次浪潮期间除外。疫苗接种率达到31.6%,主要是辉瑞公司(49.8%)。有症状病例占确诊病例的44.0%,需要住院治疗的10.4%。与住院治疗独立相关的因素包括年龄、合并症和疫苗接种状况。结论:该研究强调需要强有力的监测、有针对性的卫生保健干预措施、公平的资源分配和疫苗接种运动,以管理COVID-19和未来难民营中的流行病。
期刊介绍:
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases publishes research devoted to the pathology, epidemiology, prevention, treatment and control of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), as well as relevant public policy.
The NTDs are defined as a group of poverty-promoting chronic infectious diseases, which primarily occur in rural areas and poor urban areas of low-income and middle-income countries. Their impact on child health and development, pregnancy, and worker productivity, as well as their stigmatizing features limit economic stability.
All aspects of these diseases are considered, including:
Pathogenesis
Clinical features
Pharmacology and treatment
Diagnosis
Epidemiology
Vector biology
Vaccinology and prevention
Demographic, ecological and social determinants
Public health and policy aspects (including cost-effectiveness analyses).