CARACTERÍSTICAS CLÍNICAS Y EPIDEMIOLÓGICAS DE COVID-19 EN SUCRE, BOLIVIA: ESTUDIO TRANSVERSAL. JULIO-DICIEMBRE 2021

Resumen

Abstract

The aim of this research was to analyse the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19-positive patients confirmed by RT-PCR and treated at the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca between July and December 2021. This cross-sectional study included 575 patients, evaluating demographic variables, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, and vaccination history. Data were collected from epidemiological records provided by the Ministry of Health and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods with SPSS software version 29.0. The results showed that 25.2% of the patients tested positive. The most common symptoms were dry cough, headache, and fever, predominantly observed in symptomatic patients, those with prior contact with confirmed cases, or those with comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the majority of positive cases were under 65 years of age, highlighting the importance of including younger populations in prevention strategies.bThis study provides key data for understanding the dynamics of COVID-19 in Sucre, Bolivia, and serves as a foundation for strengthening monitoring systems and developing more effective public health policies.