Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Albania

Elona Gaxhja; Gjergji Koja; Brunilda Elezi; Elvin Rada; Shkelqim Hidri

doi:10.3855/jidc.18636

Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Albania

Authors

Elona Gaxhja Nursing Department, University of Elbasan “Aleksander Xhuvani”, Albania
Gjergji Koja Clinical Department, University of Elbasan “Aleksander Xhuvani”, Albania
Brunilda Elezi Clinical Department, University of Elbasan “Aleksander Xhuvani”, Albania
Elvin Rada Mathematical Department, University of Elbasan “Aleksander Xhuvani”, Albania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3751-2889
Shkelqim Hidri Clinical Department, University of Elbasan “Aleksander Xhuvani”, Albania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18636

Keywords:

Albania, COVID-19, healthcare, infections, pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: This study provides a general overview of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Albania. The aim was to assess the spread of COVID-19 in the country by describing the demographic and epidemiological characteristics.

Methodology: We performed a 12-month national observational, epidemiological study. The data were extracted from the national digital system of Infectious Diseases Information and included all reported COVID-19 cases. Demographic data, number of tests, number of confirmed positive cases, and number of deaths were analyzed to build a general overview of the pandemic in Albania.

Results: The database comprised 251,139 tested individuals and 250,926 were reported as confirmed cases. The average age of the tested cases was 44.83 years; 19.8% of the studied individuals were 51–60 years old and this group had the highest proportion (51.7%) of females. The estimated prevalence of COVID-19 in Albania was 51.31% (110,397 cases). Tirana, the capital of Albania, had the highest percentage of COVID-19 positive cases (44.9%) with an incidence rate 3,879.02 individuals/100,000 inhabitants. The COVID-19 curve reached its peak in February 2021 with 54,046 cases. The mortality rate was 1.18/1000 inhabitants.

Conclusions: This demographic and epidemiological analysis provides a better understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic, and. the findings can contribute towards perception and re-investigation of the spread of COVID-19 in Albania, However, further studies covering longer periods and deeper analysis are needed for developing an epidemiological mathematical model, as a tool to develop and implement specific strategies for monitoring future pandemics.

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Published

2024-10-31

How to Cite

Gaxhja E, Koja G, Elezi B, Rada E, Hidri S (2024) Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Albania. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:1485–1493. doi: 10.3855/jidc.18636

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 10: October 2024

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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