A study of long COVID-19 in Duhok, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Salmas S Ahmed; Pawan I Adil; Narin A Rasheed; Nawfal R Hussein; Kuldeep Dhama

doi:10.3855/jidc.17468

A study of long COVID-19 in Duhok, Kurdistan region, Iraq

Authors

Salmas S Ahmed Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Pawan I Adil Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Narin A Rasheed Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Health and Medical Technology-Shekhan, Duhok Polytechnic University, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6438-4734
Nawfal R Hussein Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7813-9198
Kuldeep Dhama Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7469-4752

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17468

Keywords:

COVID-19, long COVID-19, comorbidities, Duhok, Iraq

Abstract

Introduction: Long COVID-19 refers to a range of symptoms and complications that persist after being infected with COVID-19 or develop some time after recovery. Our study aimed at assessing the prevalence of long COVID-19 in Duhok city, Iraq and its correlation with epidemiological and clinical variables.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and August 2022. A questionnaire was used for data collection from participants aged 18 and older. The questionnaire included demographic information and clinical data.

Results: Among the 1039 participants, (49.7%) were male with a mean age of 34.048 ± 13 years. Total infected volunteers were 492 (47.4%), out of which 20.7% did not have long COVID-19 and 26.7% had long COVID-19. The most common long COVID-19 manifestations were fatigue (57%), hair loss (39%) and loss/change in the sense of smell or taste (35%). Correlation between the variables gender, comorbidities, age, and duration of infection, and long COVID-19 were significant (p values = 0.016, 0.018, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions: There was a significant correlation between long COVID-19 cases and age, gender, comorbidities, and duration of infection. The data of this report can be used as a baseline for studies that may help further understand long COVID-19 sequelae.

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Published

2023-06-30

How to Cite

Ahmed SS, Adil PI, Rasheed NA, Hussein NR, Dhama K (2023) A study of long COVID-19 in Duhok, Kurdistan region, Iraq. J Infect Dev Ctries 17:805–811. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17468

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Issue

Vol. 17 No. 06: June 2023

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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