Research Article

Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study

Volume: 19 Number: 1 March 7, 2025
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Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The global crisis of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) has prompted comprehensive research into its impact, with studies uncovering varied occurrence and mortality rates. This study seeks to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 amongst the overall population based on self-reported symptoms and testing while also examining the association of prevalence with demographic, health, and epidemiological factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out with citizens of Prishtina, the capital city of Kosovo from May to June 2021. We calculated the prevalence of self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and positive tests among the citizens, as well as crude and adjusted ORs examining the association of COVID-19 infection with explanatory factors, including the protection and exposure coefficient. Results: A total of 654 (52.1%) out of 1255 respondents reported having experienced COVID-19 symptoms. Six hundred (47.8%) households reported having an infected family member and 44 (7.3%) households reported having a dead family member due to COVID-19. In addition, 47.2% of 3,068 household members were infected with COVID-19, and 1.5% died due to COVID-19. A total of 689 respondents underwent testing for COVID-19 and 184 (26.7%) reported positive results. For individuals who reported COVID-19 symptoms, higher odds for infection were found among urban residents (adjusted OR, 1.53; 95%CI, 1.13-2.07; p=0.006), individuals with infected household members (adjusted OR, 2.53; 95%CI, 2.00-3.20; p<0.001), higher exposure coefficient (adjusted OR, 2.20; 95%CI, 1.42-3.41; p<0.001), and existing health conditions (adjusted OR, 2.22; 95%CI, 1.50-3.27; p<0.001). For individuals who underwent COVID-19 testing, higher odds for infection were found among individuals with infected household members (adjusted OR, 3.51; 95% CI, 2.29-5.39; p<0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of COVID-19 in Prishtina and the significance of factors like existing health conditions, household size, epidemiologic behaviour, and the number of infected members as important determinants of COVID-19 incidence.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The study was funded by the Municipality of Prishtina.

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kosovo Chamber of Medical Doctors (12-08-2020, ref. no. 8/2020). The study was conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements and the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration for human participant data. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants for participation in the study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Preventative Health Care, Social Determinants of Health, Family Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

February 21, 2025

Publication Date

March 7, 2025

Submission Date

October 8, 2024

Acceptance Date

December 19, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 19 Number: 1

APA
Bojaj, G., Lama, A., Zhubi, E., Halili, R., Gashi, B., Hoxha, T., Kamberi, A., Hoti, N., Basha, V., Berisha, V., Sadiku, I., Hill, B., Agahi, R., & Hoxha, I. (2025). Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 19(1), 106-115. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681
AMA
1.Bojaj G, Lama A, Zhubi E, et al. Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study. TJFMPC. 2025;19(1):106-115. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681
Chicago
Bojaj, Gazmend, Arber Lama, Esra Zhubi, et al. 2025. “Prevalence of COVID-19 During 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 19 (1): 106-15. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681.
EndNote
Bojaj G, Lama A, Zhubi E, Halili R, Gashi B, Hoxha T, Kamberi A, Hoti N, Basha V, Berisha V, Sadiku I, Hill B, Agahi R, Hoxha I (March 1, 2025) Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 19 1 106–115.
IEEE
[1]G. Bojaj et al., “Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study”, TJFMPC, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 106–115, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681.
ISNAD
Bojaj, Gazmend - Lama, Arber - Zhubi, Esra - Halili, Rrezart - Gashi, Bujar - Hoxha, Teuta - Kamberi, Agron et al. “Prevalence of COVID-19 During 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 19/1 (March 1, 2025): 106-115. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681.
JAMA
1.Bojaj G, Lama A, Zhubi E, Halili R, Gashi B, Hoxha T, Kamberi A, Hoti N, Basha V, Berisha V, Sadiku I, Hill B, Agahi R, Hoxha I. Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study. TJFMPC. 2025;19:106–115.
MLA
Bojaj, Gazmend, et al. “Prevalence of COVID-19 During 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, vol. 19, no. 1, Mar. 2025, pp. 106-15, doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681.
Vancouver
1.Gazmend Bojaj, Arber Lama, Esra Zhubi, Rrezart Halili, Bujar Gashi, Teuta Hoxha, Agron Kamberi, Nexhmedin Hoti, Vlora Basha, Visar Berisha, Izet Sadiku, Brandon Hill, Riaz Agahi, Ilir Hoxha. Prevalence of COVID-19 during 2021 in Prishtina, Kosovo: a population-based cross-sectional study. TJFMPC. 2025 Mar. 1;19(1):106-15. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1557681

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