Validation of the Covid-19 Screening Tool and Clinical-Epidemiological Characteristics of Confirmed Covid-19 Patients at Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi: Validation of the COVID-19 Screening Tool

Mehwish Riaz; Nosheen Zaidi; Humaira Mahmood; Nabila Zaheer; Sara Daud; Raima Asif; Fatima Ali Raza

Authors

Mehwish Riaz Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan
Nosheen Zaidi Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan
Humaira Mahmood Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute, NUMS, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Nabila Zaheer Pulmonology Department Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan
Sara Daud Pulmonology Department Govt General Hospital, GMA Faisalabad, Pakistan
Raima Asif Department of Public Health, NUMS NIASR, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Fatima Ali Raza Department of Community Medicine, Foundation University Medical College, Islamabad, Pakistan

Keywords:

Case Definition, COVID-19 Screening, Validation

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To assess clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19 patients at Fauji Foundation Hospital and to validate COVID-19 case definition devised by WHO.

Study design: Cross Sectional Validation.

Study Place: Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi.

Study Duration: June 2020 to January 2021.

Sample Technique & Size: Purposive sampling of 836 COVID-19 suspected cases as per definition. Methodology: Clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19 positive patients were assessed along with validation of case definition of COVID -19.

Results: Four hundred and ninety-two (58.9%) of study population were females, 507(60.7%) were non health care workers. Hypertension and diabetes were a comorbidity in 184(22%) and 507(60.7%) of patients respectively. The WHO questionnaire validation revealed 63.6% sensitivity and specificity of 56.6%. After screening , positive predictive value of 75.7% and negative predictive value of 42.2% was attributed to the screening tool.

Conclusion: Keeping in view the high prevalence as well as variety of clinical symptoms of COVID 19 and its unpredictable fatality behaviour in Pakistani population; the WHO tool left much to be changed in case definition to improve the sensitivity and specificity besides predictive value of its recommended current screening tool.

Validation of the Covid-19 Screening Tool and Clinical-Epidemiological Characteristics of Confirmed Covid-19 Patients at Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi