Sociodemographic and Health-related Determinants of COVID-19 Prevalence and Case Fatality Rate in Indonesia

Indonesia is a country with the highest COVID-19 confirmed cases and mortality rate among southeast Asian countries. This study was conducted to identify the correlation between sociodemographic factors and the number of confirmed cases and mortality rates due to COVID-19 in Indonesia. This research is an ecological study where secondary data published by the Indonesian government was used. Spearman correlation were used in this study. This study showed that sociodemographic conditions in Indonesia varied greatly. Spearman correlation test results showed that a significant relationship (p-value < 0.05) between the number of COVID-19 confirmation cases with population density, population growth, decreased mobility outside the home, hypertension and diabetes prevalence, number of health workers (general practitioners, specialist doctors, and nurses) as well as the number of COVID-19 specialized hospitals. Significant correlations (p-value < 0.05) were also shown by the relationship between COVID-19 mortality rates and a dense population, a large decrease in mobility to the workplace, number of smokers, and number of health workers. Equitable development is expected to reduce sociodemographic and health disparities so that each region has good preparedness in dealing with outbreaks without the occurrence of areas that are more severely affected by outbreaks compared to other regions

Meta-Analysis Correlations between Hypertension, Smoking, and Severity Risk of COVID-19

Background: Based on the reported cases, 16.9% of COVID-19 patients were accompanied by comorbidities. Hypertension and smoking are suspected to be one of the pathological determinants that play a role in clinical predictors that are predicted to cause a worsening of the patient's condition during the treatment period. This study aimed to examine correlations between hypertension, smoking, and severity risk of COVID-19.Subjects and Method: Meta-analysis was carried out using PRISMA flow diagrams. Article searches through journal databases include: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar. articles used in 2020-2022. The PICOs in this study were, Population: COVID-19 patients, Intervention: hypertension and smoking Comparation: not hypertension and not smoking, Outcome: severity of COVID-19. The keywords in this study were “hypertention” OR “high blood pressure” AND “severe COVID-19” OR “severty COVID-19” OR “patient COVID-19 outcome” “cigarette” OR “smoking” OR “current smoker” OR former smoker” AND “severe COVID-19” OR “severty COVID-19” OR “patient COVID-19 outcome” Inclusion criteria were articles used in full paper articles with a cohort design, relationship size used with aOR, intervention given the association of hypertension and smoking on the severity of COVID-19. Eligible articles were analyzed using the Revman 5.3 application.Results: A meta-analysis of 12 cohort articles originating from Asia, America, Africa, Europe, concluded that COVID-19 treatment patients with hypertension had higher severity 1.82 times compared to those without hypertension (aOR= 1.82; 95% CI= 1.18 to 2.79; p=0.006). Likewise, COVID-19 treatment patients with smoking habit had higher severity than those who do not smoke (aOR= 0.62; 95% CI= 0.14 to 2.65; p=0.520).Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with hypertension have an increased risk of severity. COVID-19 patients with smoking lower risk of severity. Keywords: Severe COVID-19, hypertention, cigarette. Correspondence:Lisa Safaah Novia Larsiani. Masters Program in Public Health. Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl.Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Email: [email protected] Mobile: 089536503803

A Neural Network Evidence of the Nexus Among Air Pollution, Economic Growth, and COVID-19 Deaths in the Hubei Area

In this study, we used an image neural network model to assess the relationship between economic growth, pollution (PM2.5, PM10, and CO2), and deaths from COVID-19 in the Hubei area (China). Data analysis, neural network analysis, and deep learning experiments were carried out to assess the relationship among COVID-19 deaths, air pollution, and economic growth in China (Hubei province, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic). We collected daily data at a city level from January 20 to July 31, 2020. We used main cities in the Hubei province, with data on confirmed COVID-19 deaths, air pollution (expressed in µg/m3 as PM2.5, PM10, and CO2), and per capita economic growth. Following the most recent contributions on the relationship among air pollution, GDP, and diffusion of COVID-19, we generated an algorithm capable of identifying a neural connection among these variables. The results confirmed a strong predictive relationship for the Hubei area between changes in the economic growth, fine particles, and deaths from COVID-19. These results would recommend adequate environmental reforms to policymakers to contain the spread and adverse effects of the virus. Therefore, there is a requirement to reconsider the system of transport and return to production by combining it with economic growth to protect the planet

Does Serum Vitamin D Level Affect COVID-19 Infection and Its Severity?-A Case-Control Study

Background: As effective medication to treat COVID-19 is currently unavailable, preventive remedies may be particularly important. Objective: To examine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level and COVID-19 infection, its severity, and its clinical case characteristics. Methods: This case-control study compared serum 25(OH)D levels and rates of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) between 80 healthy controls and 62 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to Guangxi People’s Hospital, China, 2/16/2020–3/16/2020. Cases were categorized into asymptomatic, mild/moderate, and severe/critical disease. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between 25(OH)D level, or VDD, and case status/severity of COVID-19 while controlling for demographics and comorbidities. A threshold level of vitamin D for conveying COVID-19 risk was estimated. Results: Severe/critical COVID-19 cases were significantly older and had higher percentages of comorbidity (renal failure) compared to mild cases. The serum 25(OH)D concentration in COVID-19 patient was much lower than that in healthy control. And 25(OH)D level was the lowest in severe/ critical cases, compared with mild cases. In further, significantly higher rates of VDD were found in COVID-19 cases (41.9%) compared to healthy controls (11.1%). And VDD was the greatest in severe/critical cases (80%), compared with mild cases (36%). These statistically significant associations remained even after controlling for demographics and comorbidities. A potential threshold of 25(OH)D (41.19nmol/L) to protect against COVID-19 was identified. Conclusion: Elderly and people with comorbidities were susceptible to severe COVID-19 infection. VDD was a risk factor for COVID-19, especially for severe/critical cases. While further confirmation is needed, vitamin D supplementation may have prevention or treatment potential for COVID- 19 disease

Exploring COVID-19 Case Fatality in Relation to the Prevalence of Chronic Conditions and Health Behaviors in Appalachian Kentucky

Background: Research has demonstrated that common chronic conditions, especially those related to cardiovascular health, are important risk factors for severe COVID-19 symptoms or hospitalization. Population prevalence rates of such conditions have not previously been examined in relation to COVID-19 case fatality rates in the Central Appalachian region. Purpose: This study examined prevalence rates of selected chronic conditions and COVID-19 case fatality rates to determine whether the relationship between them is consistent across Appalachian and non-Appalachian regions of Kentucky. Methods: Data from Kentucky’s Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (KyBRFS) were used to calculate prevalence rates of asthma, diabetes, influenza vaccination, hypertension, obesity, having a personal doctor, physical inactivity, and cigarette smoking. Publicly available COVID-19 case and death counts by county were used to calculate incidence and case fatality rates. Units of analysis were 41 single- and multi-county areas developed to visualize KyBRFS prevalence rates. Analysis included t-tests to compare Appalachian and non-Appalachian regions, and correlations characterizing associations between COVID-19 case fatality and rates of chronic conditions and behaviors. Results: Incidence and case fatality rates for COVID-19 were slightly lower in the Appalachian region, but not significantly. Significant correlations between COVID-19 case fatality and the prevalence of chronic conditions and behaviors were more common in the non-Appalachian region. Implications: Case fatality rates in Appalachia appear lower than expected, given the high prevalence of important chronic conditions and behaviors known to be associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. This phenomenon merits further research and should be considered by public health researchers when examining COVID-19 outcomes in Kentucky and neighboring states

RELATIONSHIP OF COMMORBID DISEASE TO MORTALITY EVENTS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS

Background: Covid-19 is a disease caused by acute respiratory syndrome due to corona virus 2. Patients with Covid-19 experience symptoms of severe shortness of breath resulting in death. The risk of death for Covid-19 sufferers will be greater if the patient has a history of comorbid diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between comorbid diseases and the incidence of mortality in patients with Covid-19.Method: Research design using descriptive analytic. The research population was all Covid-19 sufferers who were treated at Mojowarno Christian Hospital (RSK) during 2021 totaling 450 sufferers. The research sample was 212 respondents with a sampling technique using systematic random sampling. The data was obtained from the medical records of Covid-19 patients who were treated at the Mojowarno Hospital. Statistical test using chi square and odds ratio with a significance level of P &lt;0.05. Results: The results of the study found that comorbid diabetes mellitus showed a result of P: 0.000, meaning that there was a relationship between comorbid diabetes mellitus and the incidence of mortality in patients with Covid-19. Comorbid kidney disease shows a P value: 0.003, meaning that there is a relationship between comorbid kidney disease and the occurrence of mortality in Covid-19 sufferers. Comorbid heart disease results obtained P: 0.089, meaning that there is no relationship between comorbid heart disease and mortality in patients with Covid-19. Hypertensive comorbid disease on mortality with a P value: 0.134 meaning that there is no relationship between hypertension comorbid disease and the risk of mortality in patients with Covid-19. Conclusion:Covid-19 sufferers who have comorbid diabetes mellitus cause greater mortality. This is because diabetes mellitus can cause a cytokine storm which plays a role in increasing the severity of COVID-19 sufferers so that it often causes death

COVID-19 Outcomes and the Incidence of Slavery

Environmental factors have been shown to correlate with COVID-19 outcomes. This study advances the literature on health economics by examining the importance of socioeconomic factors. In addition to standard economic factors, I consider the relationship between the past incidence of slavery and COVID-19 outcomes. I analyze county-level U.S. Census data and Georgia Department of Public Health county-level COVID-19 data using regression analysis. I find that the Covid-19 county vaccination rate in Georgia is related to 1860 slave concentration. No statistically significant relationship is found between 1860 slave concentration and COVID-19 death rate, case rate, or vaccination rate when health, socioeconomic, and demographic differences across counties are controlled for. The findings from this study suggest the importance of further research on slavery’s legacy for better informed policy making

Variations across Europe in hospitalization and management of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 during the initial phase of the pandemic: Multi-national population-based cohort study using the International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems (INOSS)

INTRODUCTION: The majority of data on COVID-19 in pregnancy are not from sound population-based active surveillance systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-national study of population-based national or regional prospective cohorts using standardized definitions within the International Network of Obstetric Survey systems (INOSS). From a source population of women giving birth between March 1 and August 31, 2020, we included pregnant women admitted to hospital with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test ≤7 days prior to or during admission and up to 2 days after birth. The admissions were further categorized as COVID-19-related or non-COVID-19-related. The primary outcome of interest was incidence of COVID-19-related hospital admission. Secondary outcomes included severe maternal disease (ICU admission and mechanical ventilation) and COVID-19-directed medical treatment. RESULTS: In a source population of 816 628 maternities, a total of 2338 pregnant women were admitted with SARS-CoV-2; among them 940 (40%) were COVID-19-related admissions. The pooled incidence estimate for COVID-19-related admission was 0.59 (95% confidence interval 0.27-1.02) per 1000 maternities, with notable heterogeneity across countries (I 2  = 97.3%, P = 0.00). In the COVID-19 admission group, between 8% and 17% of the women were admitted to intensive care, and 5%-13% needed mechanical ventilation. Thromboprophylaxis was the most frequent treatment given during COVID-19-related admission (range 14%-55%). Among 908 infants born to women in the COVID-19-related admission group, 5 (0.6%) stillbirths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: During the initial months of the pandemic, we found substantial variations in incidence of COVID-19-related admissions in nine European countries. Few pregnant women received COVID-19-directed medical treatment. Several barriers to rapid surveillance were identified. Investment in robust surveillance should be prioritized to prepare for future pandemics