Influence of Comorbidities on the Length of Stay of Covid-19 Patients in Kenyatta National Hospital – Infectious Disease Unit (KNH–IDU), Nairobi County, Kenya

Purpose: To determine the influence of comorbidities on the LOS of COVID-19 patients in KNH-IDU between 1st June 2020 and 30th November 2020 Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised of 558 COVID-19 patients of which 69% survived and 31% died. The overall median LOS was 7.5 days (IQR: 0-183) – 8 days (IQR: 1-171) for the survivors, and 6 days (IQR: 0-183) for the non survivors. Data was extracted from hospital records using a questionnaire and analyzed with STATA version 15. Chi-square tests determined associations, while regression analysis examined LOS determinants based on model coefficients and significance. Findings: Significant differences were seen in age (p<0.01), with more survivors aged 20-40 years and non-survivors aged over 40 years. Non-survivors had higher referral rates (p<.001), ICU admissions (p<.001), and intubation needs (p<.001). Diabetes and hypertension were more common in non-survivors (p<.001). Non-survivors also had higher WBC counts (p<.001), higher neutrophil counts (p<.01), lower lymphocyte counts (p<.001), and lower platelet counts (p<.001). Implications to Theory, Practices and Policy: Practically, the findings underscore the need for targeted clinical management strategies, particularly for younger patients and those with severe disease, to optimize LOS and improve survival rates.