SARI Surveillance System in Senegal: Factors Associated with Death among Hospitalized SARI Patients

Abstract The Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance system plays a crucial role in monitoring respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, in Senegal. SARI remains a significant public health concern, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To track the spread and severity of respiratory infections, Senegal has implemented a robust surveillance system. Vaccination is a key strategy to reduce severe cases and mortality, yet multiple factors influence its effectiveness. Objectives : This study describes the SARI surveillance system, identifies the types of COVID-19 vaccines administered, and analyzes the factors associated with mortality among SARI patients. Methods : A multicenter prospective cohort study including inpatients with laboratory-confirmed testing was conducted at three SARI surveillance hospitals in Senegal. Demographic, clinical, and immunological data were extracted from the medical records of patients who had been discharged or had died. We described the clinical characteristics of patients at admission and during hospitalization. We analyzed clinical status (discharged or died) after admission among adult patients (≥ 18 years) who were eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Senegal. Results : A total of 224 patients were included in the final analysis. The median age was 47 years and 45.1% of patients were female. The majority of patients (67.9%) reported at least one pre-existing condition. Vaccination was significantly associated with a lower risk of mortality (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.19–0.94, p = 0.037). Heart disease was an independent risk factor (OR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.15–8.48, p = 0.023). Dyspnea was strongly associated with mortality, although the association did not reach conventional statistical significance (OR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.04–7.96, p = 0.052). ICU admission was the strongest predictor of mortality, with an OR of 3.70 (95% CI: 1.70–8.19, p = 0.001). Conclusions : This study investigated factors associated with mortality in patients presenting with severe acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19. The findings highlight several demographic, clinical, and vaccination-related variables that are significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk of death.