Correlation between socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study investigated the correlation between socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic in medium-sized Minas Gerais municipalities. Data were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling, using the following variables: vulnerability, sanitation, income, aggravating factors, vaccination, COVID-19 cases, COVID-19 mortality, hospitalization and non-communicable chronic diseases. Data were obtained from the Minas Gerais Social Responsibility Index, the COVID-19 cases monitoring panel and the COVID-19 vaccination monitoring panel. Data collection time frame was determined by the onset of the pandemic and data availability (March 2020 to September 2021). Results showed that better sanitation conditions are negatively related to COVID-19 cases, income is positively related to COVID-19 cases, and higher mortality from chronic noncommunicable diseases are positively related to COVID-19 mortality. COVID-19 cases have a negative impact on hospitalization and hospitalization has a positive impact on mortality. Cases, moderated by vaccination, are negatively related to COVID-19 mortality. These findings confirm that less favorable socioeconomic conditions make society more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Keywords:
COVID-19; Socioeconomic Factors; Structural Equation Modeling