Assessment of 12 Months of COVID-19 Outcomes: Africa and Other Continents

• Activity Number: 90 - Novel Statistical Methods for COVID Pandemic and Other Current Health Policy Issues
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 9, 2021 : 10:00 AM to 11:50 AM
• Sponsor: Health Policy Statistics Section
• Author(s): Obafemi Adegoke. Keshinro* and Kazeem Osuolale and Olukemi Abiodun Keshinro
• Companies: University of Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and University of Lagos
• Keywords: Covid-19; Contagion; Infectious Diseases; Coronavirus; Comparisons

Abstract

So much has been written and still coming out on the novel COVID-19, addressing varying aspect of this pandemic disease. In this paper, focus is on the outcomes of the contagion on World continents with critical analysis on the Africa continent as it compares to others. Three main variables are of interest, vis: confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries. Clearly, empirical data reveals that the outcomes of the disease have not been devastating on African Countries, as badly as other continents, despite having the most vulnerable populations to infectious diseases. This seems to oppose some popular projections coming out in the wake of the Pandemic. Data collected on the three variables across the continents, for the twelve months of February 2020 to January 2021 were analyzed with appropriate denominators. This was done by obtaining descriptive statistics as well as computing relevant ratios and proportions with charts constructed to aid the explanations on the comparisons. Common socio-demographic and environmental factors responsible for the observed trend across the continents and Africa in particular, were investigated for necessary policy recommendations.