COVID-19 deaths at home in south of Iran: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the causes of COVID-19 deaths at home.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on confirmed COVID-19 deaths, which were confirmed to occur at home using the “Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS)” database, from February 20, 2020, to September 23, 2021, in the Fars province, south of Iran. A semi-structured, face-to-face survey consisting of 29 items was filled by the family caregivers, and the information was confirmed based on medical records.

Results: One hundred and ninety-three deaths were included, with 60.1% male and 39.9% female. More than 75% of cases had at least one comorbid condition. Death was unexpected for 65.8% of the families and 45.1% of the deceased cases had been medically managed at home during the disease. According to the family caregivers’ opinion, the most frequent causes of death at home in their COVID-19 patients were early discharge/release from the hospital (28.5%), physician's reassurance to continue home quarantine/supportive care (14.5%), hopeless/oldest-old patient (11.9%), and family/relative recommendation to not to hospitalize their patient due to fears, myths, etc. (8.8%).

Conclusions: In family caregivers’ belief, deaths at home might be related to healthcare system preparedness, physicians’ knowledge, and public education and empowerment.

Keywords

COVID-19 / Death / Home care

Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Funding

This study received no extramural funding.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

Publisher’s note

The Publisher of the Journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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