Socio-demographic patterns of dengue infections: Evidence from a tertiary care setting

Background: Dengue fever is a major public health concern with increasing incidence due to urbanization, climate change, and inadequate vector control. Variations in disease severity are influenced by socio-demographic factors. Understanding these patterns in a tertiary care setting is crucial for developing targeted public health interventions. To determine the association between socio-demographic factors and disease severity in laboratory-confirmed dengue cases admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from January to December 2024. A total of 187 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases diagnosed via NS1 antigen and IgM/IgG serology were included. Cases with coinfections or chronic immunosuppressive conditions were excluded. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire documenting demographic details (age, gender, SES, education, residence) and clinical information (disease severity, comorbidities, hospital stay, ICU admission, outcomes). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 26), with chi-square tests employed to assess associations (p < 0.05 considered significant). Results: The majority of patients 54.5% (102) were in the 20–40 years age group, and males accounted for 63.1% (118) of cases. Low SES and lack of formal education were significantly associated with severe dengue (p = 0.004, p = 0.031, respectively). ICU admission was required in 15.0% (28) of cases, and the overall mortality rate was 5.3% (10). Conclusion: Dengue disproportionately affected young adults and males, with severe cases more common in older patients, individuals from lower SES backgrounds, and those with limited education. Keywords: Dengue fever, Disease severity, Sociodemographic factors, Public health tertiary care