The influence of socioeconomic inequality on the distribution of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from Covid-19 in the municipality of Uberlândia/Minas Gerais, between 2020 and 2021: a temporal analysis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the influence of socioeconomic factors on the COVID-19 pandemic in the areas of weighting established by GeoSES in Uberlândia/Minas Gerais, controlling for the GeoSES index, wealth, poverty, and other factors. Methods: Temporal analysis of COVID-19 cases and deaths between 2020 and 2021; data obtained from the state health department of Minas Gerais. Generalized linear mixed models were used. Results: Uberlândia is identified by the code 3170206, subdivided into 17 weighting areas. During the analyzed period, 129,452 cases and 3,191 COVID-19-related deaths were recorded. A higher number of cases was found in regions with more health units and greater wealth. The highest number of hospitalizations was found in the wealthiest areas, and a lower mortality and lethality rate was found in the poorest regions. Conclusion:Socioeconomic factors may have affected the COVID-19 pandemic in the municipality of Uberlândia.