Long COVID‐19 (LC) syndrome is a complex systemic illness that is currently recognised to have a high morbidity rate and hospitalisations. The study analysed factors linked to LC in adults self‐isolated during COVID‐19 infection in KwaZulu‐Natal Province, South Africa, focusing on two densely populated districts (uMgungundlovu and eThekwini Metro Municipality). We employed a cross‐sectional study among individuals aged 18 years and above who self‐isolated at home. Demographic data, COVID‐19 vaccination status, and post‐COVID‐19 health symptoms were collected using a standardised questionnaire. The National Health and Nutrition Survey’s Physical Functioning Questionnaire was adapted to evaluate health and functional outcomes six months after a COVID‐19 diagnosis, addressing both physical and psychosocial symptoms during that timeframe. A modified Poisson regression model was used to determine the predictors of LC and hospitalisation. Of the 280 participants, 46% ( n = 130) reported having at least one health‐related symptom, while 36% ( n = 47) had ≥ five symptoms. Approximately half of the participants (50%, n = 139) had at least one hospital admission following infection due to persistent symptoms. Older age (aIRR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2; p = 0.021), reinfection (aIRR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.0; p = 0.001), having positive household contacts (aIRR 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4–3.2; p < 0.001) and hospitalisation (aIRR 7.7; 95% CI: 3.8–15.6; p < 0.001) increased the risk of developing LC. Post‐infection hospitalisation was significantly associated with symptoms such as anxiety (aIRR 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.7; p = 0.009), depression (aIRR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.6–2.3; p < 0.001), sore throat (aIRR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.7–2.0; p = 0.002) and weight loss (aIRR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.4–2.4; p < 0.001). A considerable percentage of participants with post‐SARS‐CoV‐2 infections presented with long‐term complications and required medical intervention. Postpandemic healthcare planning and resource allocation need to be considered since increased morbidities associated with LC place a burden on the already inadequately funded healthcare system.
Phafane et al. (Thu,) studied this question.