Covid-19 and associated factors in people aged 50 years or more

Abstract

Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic presented itself as an intense health crisis worldwide. The main risk factors considered were advanced age, being male, presence of chronic diseases, obesity, racial/ethnic factor as well as worse socioeconomic conditions. Objective: the aim was to investigate the association between COVID-19 and age group, gender, race/color, health conditions, and symptoms. Methodology: the cross-sectional study used data from medical records and mandatory reporting forms for individuals with COVID-19 seen at the Health Unit. For data analysis, the STATA® statistical package from StataCorp LLC, version 14.2, was used. Bivariate analysis, according to the presence of COVID-19, was performed using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The multiple analysis adopted was the unconditional logistic regression modeling. Results: the sample included 239 individuals, and 38% had a positive diagnosis for COVID-19. Taste and smell changes were the most frequent symptoms among individuals with a positive result for COVID-19 when compared to those without the disease. The logistic regression model adjusted for presenting symptoms and race/color showed a statistically significant association between being elderly and having a positive diagnosis for COVID-19 (OR: 2.23; 95% CI: 1.01-4.98). Conclusion: taste changes and age group were the characteristics associated with COVID-19. The study validates the need to improve the quality of records generated in Primary Health Care, reinforcing the need for spaces with health professionals to develop a health information policy that strengthens the Unified Health System.