The seeking medical attention in the urban adult population prior and during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)

Abstract

Introduction. The appeal of the population for medical care in the conditions of a pandemic and strict quarantine measures has not been sufficiently analyzed in the scientific medical literature to date. The purpose of the work. Analysis of the urban adult population’s access to medical care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. Based on the materials of the consolidated statistical reports of Krasnoyarsk, the indicators of the appeal and morbidity of the adult population for 2017-2020 were studied. The obtained information was analyzed using absolute and relative values. Results. The analysis of the adult population’s appeal indicators in the pre-pandemic period and the COVID-19 pandemic period showed a decrease of 43.8%. The decrease in the population’s treatment for preventive purposes occurred in all points, except for points Z20-Z29 (potential health hazard associated with infectious diseases), the indicators of which increased by 67.4% or 11.4%. The decrease in the overall morbidity rate during the pandemic was due to a decrease in the frequency of referrals with previously known diseases by 80.4%. The primary morbidity rate increased by 64.3%. Discussion. The indicators of the incidence of the adult population of COVID-19 obtained by us have differences but do not contradict the data obtained by other researchers. As our study showed, the measures taken did not lead to a significant decrease in the population’s appeal to medical institutions. Conclusion. The comparative data obtained allows assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing anti-epidemic measures on the treatment and morbidity of the adult population.