Epidemiological patterns of COVID-19 induced mortality in Nepal.

Research Report.

SUMMARY:

COVID-19 resulted in a huge human and socio-economic loss globally and Nepal was not an exception. In this study, we aimed to analyze characteristics (different demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics) of COVID-19 related deaths in Nepal and explore the vulnerability dynamics associated with it. Data was retrieved from the Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) under the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) using a data extraction sheet. Data related to age, gender, province, district, place of death, cause of death, and day of death were collected and further analyzed.
The key findings of the study are mentioned below.
 A total of 11,594 deaths were reported during the study period i.e., from May 2020 to December 2021. Two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths occurred in male population.  COVID-19 affected substantially both economically active population, and those above 60 years of age. Although, population above 60 years faced higher burden of mortality during the first wave, the age group of 40-59 years were equally affected during the second year.  Bagmati province was the most affected province in the burden of mortality in total and during both waves of COVID-19. At district level, people of urban districts and those with higher population density were affected.  The second wave of COVID-19 resulted in 51.1% of total deaths. Similarly, the first wave alone contributed to 16.9% of total deaths. The proportion of deaths in the home isolations increased from 3.2% in first wave to 6.4% in second wave.  Hypertension, Diabetes, Kidney disease, and respiratory diseases including COPD were the most common comorbidities reported among these individuals.