[Spatio-temporal distribution of COVID-19 in Cologne and associated socio-economic factors in the period from February 2020 to October 2021]. / Die zeitlich-räumliche Verteilung von COVID-19 in Köln und beeinflussende soziale Faktoren im Zeitraum Februar 2020 bis Oktober 2021.
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz
; 65(9): 853-862, 2022 Sep.
Article
in De
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35920847
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND GOALS Even in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, which took a very different course globally, there were indications that socio-economic factors influenced the dynamics of disease spread, which from the second phase (September 2020) onwards particularly affected people with a lower socio-economic status. Such effects can also be seen within a large city. The present study visualizes and examines the spatio-temporal spread of all COVID-19 cases reported in Cologne, Germany (February 2020-October 2021) at district level and their possible association with socio-economic factors. METHODS:
Pseudonymized data of all COVID-19 cases reported in Cologne were geo-coded and their distribution was mapped in an age-standardized way at district level over four periods and compared with the distribution of social factors. The possible influence of the selected factors was also examined in a regression analysis in a model with case growth rates.RESULTS:
The small-scale local infection process changed during the pandemic. Neighborhoods with weaker socio-economic indices showed higher incidence over a large part of the pandemic course, with a positive correlation between poverty risk factors and age-standardized incidence. The strength of this correlation changed over time.CONCLUSION:
The timely observation and analysis of the local spread dynamics reveals the positive correlation of disadvantaging socio-economic factors on the incidence rate of COVID-19â¯at the level of a large city and can help steer local containment measures in a targeted manner.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
De
Year:
2022
Type:
Article