Prevalence and Determinants of Long COVID among the COVID-19 Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study from A Rural Area of Maharashtra

Background: Most patients infected with the COVID-19 virus may experience long-term effects from COVID-19 infection, known as post-COVID or long COVID conditions. Long COVID may last for weeks, months or years and may limit ones day to day activities and needs health care. Aim & Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors of long COVID among the COVID-19 survivors of a rural area of Maharashtra. Methods and Material: A Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in adult subjects residing in Chanai village from Maharashtra who have had a history of COVID-19 and have passed more than 3 months since the diagnosis from May 2022 to June 2022. The interview of the study participants was conducted with the help of a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire for data collection. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010, Open EPI-Info version 3.01 updated on 2013/04/06. Data was presented in tables, graphical format, frequencies and percentages and the statistical association was shown using the chi- square test. Results: The majority of participants were males (59%), from 19 to 39 years of age group (57%), having fever as presenting symptom (83%), with mild COVID (13%), and required hospitalization (53%). Long COVID was associated with the elderly age group, male sex (27.1%), severe COVID presentation (88.2%) after 12 weeks, and those required intubation (80%). Conclusion: The prevalence of long COVID was 17.5%. Determinants associated with long COVID were the elderly age group, male sex, severe COVID presentation and who required intubation