Abstract
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy and health, especially for the most vulnerable social groups. The social determinants of health are one of the most relevant risks for becoming infected with COVID-19, due to the health consequences for those who are exposed to it. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of social determinants in health on COVID-19 infection in vulnerable social groups. A transversal epidemiological study was carried out on 746 individuals in vulnerable situations living in conditions of extreme poverty in disadvantaged areas in the province of Almeria (southeast of Spain). Social determinants of health such access to drinking water (p < 0.001) and economic income (p = 0.04) influenced the infection of COVID-19. A binary logistic regression model showed that the significant predictors of COVID-19 infection were the lack of economic income and inaccessible drinking water. The government and social health services must be aware of this problem in order to play an active role in searching for solutions and implementing public health prevention measures to eliminate social inequalities in health.
Highlights
A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out on people in vulnerable situations living in marginalised neighbourhoods or shanty towns in the province of Almeria in order to analyse the influence of social determinants of health on the spread of COVID-19
A total of 746 individuals participated who were in vulnerable social situations and lived in conditions of extreme poverty in marginalised neighbourhoods
The participants were divided into two groups; those who had a positive result from the COVID-19 antibody test COVID-19 (n = 84) and those who had a negative result from the COVID-19 antibody test (n = 662)
Summary
The illness caused by coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) continues to advance at a global level [1], affecting a large number of people [2]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 27 December 2021, 279,114,972 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, including 5,397,580 deaths worldwide. In Spain, there are 5,718,008 cases confirmed and. 89,019 deaths of COVID-19 [3], observing significant variations in the evolution of the pandemic. From an administrative point on view, Spain is organized in 17 autonomic regions, with an independent health administration in each one. That belongs to Andalusia autonomic region, is located in the southeast of Spain and has 201,780 inhabitants. COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact in its population, with 78,487 confirmed cases up to the moment this report is being written [4]
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