Socio-economic and Demographic Risk Factors in COVID-19 Hospitalization among Migrants and Ethnic Minorities

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Background

Migrants and ethnic minorities have been shown to be at increased risk of hospitalization from COVID-19, our aim was to analyze the contribution of socioeconomic and demographic risk factors on hospital admissions for COVID-19 among migrants and ethnic minorities compared to the majority population.

Methods

We used nationwide register data on all hospitalized COVID-19 cases between February and June 2020 (n = 2232) and random controls from the general population (n = 498117). We performed logistic regression analyses, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, and socioeconomic and demographic factors. Main outcome measure was Hospitalization with COVID-19. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are estimated by using logistic regression analyses, adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, and socioeconomic and demographic factors.

Results

Among 2232 COVID-19 cases, the OR of hospitalization with COVID-19 among immigrants and descendants of Non-Western origin was 2.5 times higher (95% CI: 2.23 to 2.89) than that of the majority population, with most pronounced results among individuals from Iraq, Morocco, Pakistan, and Somalia. The OR was largely attributed to comorbidity and socioeconomic factors, especially household size, occupation, and population density.

Conclusion

There is a significantly higher OR of hospitalization with COVID-19 among Non-Western migrants and ethnic minorities compared with ethnic Danes. This knowledge is crucial for health policymakers and practitioners in both the current and future pandemics to identify more vulnerable groups and target prevention initiatives.

SUBMITTER: Islamoska S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8586727 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature