Risk Factors for Hospitalization and Death from COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study in South Sudan and Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

This study was a collaboration between International Medical Corps, Johns Hopkins University and the CDC to explore the potential role of malnutrition in the severity of COVID-19 outcomes, with a specific objective to assess the risks factors for hospitalization and death. The study was conducted in DRC and South Sudan between November 2020 and July 2021 using data collected from International Medical Corps supported inpatient facilities as well as outpatient records. The study found respiratory symptoms and chronic disease co-morbidities to be the main risk factors for severe outcomes (hospitalization or death), which is similar to findings from many studies globally. One of the conclusions of the study was that International Medical Corps made successful use of triaging patients at risk for severe outcomes. While findings related to acute malnutrition were not consistent, patients who were underweight or anemic were more likely to be hospitalized, warranting additional research.