Determinants of New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Namibia: A Retrospective Observational Analysis

Abstract

Although little is known about the contributing factors of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Namibia besides no masking, no sanitizing and no social distancing, there is a need for an exhaustive study to be done to explore the factors contributing to new confirmed cases in the country. In this retrospective study, the Negative Binomial regression technique was used to examine the factors contributing to the new confirmed cases in Namibia using the data collected from the COVID-19 reports from Ministry of Health and Social Services official Facebook page, Worldometer and WHO webpage from 13 March 2020 to 31 December 2021. Results from this study revealed that Khomas, Erongo and Otjozondjupa regions had the most reported confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. In addition, the weather season (p=0.003), national events (p<0.001), vaccination period (p<0.001), sex (p=0.010) and region (p=0.018) were significant contributors to new confirmed cases. It is, therefore, recommended that the Ministry of Health and Social Services, together with governmental and non-governmental/aid organizations, use these findings in their efforts to further curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country, especially during the current wave of the virus as well as in the event of a potential sixth and seventh wave outbreak.