Factors Relating to Post-COVID Condition Post Discharge after Hospitalization in the Elderly with Leprosy and Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case Study of the Rajprachasamasai Institute Community.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the residual symptoms after infection in the elderly with leprosy and COVID-19 and examine the factors associated with these symptoms. The study included all people aged 60 and above who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Rajprachasamasai Hospital from March to June 2023. A total of 168 people were included in the study. Statistical analysis included frequency counts, means, standard deviations, and Chi-square tests. The study found that the most prevalent post-infection residual symptom among the elderly with COVID-19 was insomnia (94.05%), followed by coughing (92.86%), and loss of appetite (92.26%). Factors significantly associated with post-COVID -19 infection residual symptoms in the elderly with leprosy  included: 1) Health Status Factors including chronic illness (χ² = 9.26, p<.01) and oxygen therapy use status (χ² = 10.56, p<.01); 2) Basic Activities of Daily Living which were feeding oneself (χ² = 5.05, p<.05), dressing oneself (χ² = 3.87, p<.05), bathing (χ² = 6.32, p<.05), urination (χ² = 5.32, p<.05), and defecation (χ² = 10.56, p<.01); 3) Beneficial Daily Activities which were going outdoors (χ² = 9.17, p<.01), cooking (χ² = 9.10, p<.01), house cleaning and laundry (χ² = 9.10, p<.01), shopping (χ² = 9.17, p<.01), using public transportation (χ² = 11.05, p<.01) and taking medication (χ² = 9.40, p<.01). This research is valuable for the development of healthcare services for the elderly patients who may be dependency and have difficulty in performing their daily activities.