A Social Survey on the Covid-۱۹ Mortality Related to the First ۴۸ Hours of Hospitalization

AbstractBackground: COVID-۱۹, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), is known for high mortality rates across theglobe. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and treatment of this infectious disease are critical for increasing the recovery and survival ofpatients. The present study aimed to investigate the causes of delays in referring to hospitals regarding COVID-۱۹ deaths in thefirst ۴۸ hours of hospitalization to reduce mortality.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we extracted data from the families of ۲۱۳ patients who died of COVID-۱۹ betweenFebruary ۲۰۲۰ and February ۲۰۲۱ in Mashhad, Iran. The data were collected via phone using an ۱۸-item checklist designed bya panel of experts and related to the causes of hospitalization delays.Results: Out of the ۲۱۳ patients who died of COVID-۱۹ in hospitals, ۶۲.۵% (۱۳۳) were male, older (۶۴ ± ۱۲ years), illiterate (۴۲%),and with one or more comorbidities (۹۲.۴%). Regarding the effect of ۱۰ delay causes in the checklist related to hospitalization,it was reported that the highest score pertained to the fear of hospitalization (۵۵.۸%), following physicians’ advice about notreferring to hospitals (۴۴.۱%), and taking herbal medicines (۳۲.۳%), respectively.Conclusion: Certain groups at higher risk of COVID-۱۹ mortality included males, older individuals, and those with comorbidities.Fear of hospitalization was the main reason for delays in referring to hospitals, suggesting the role of demographic characteristics,socioeconomic status, and, most importantly, the role of social factors in increasing premature mortality

Keywords:

COVID-۱۹ , Delay cause , Hospitalization , mortality