Ontology highlight
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-19 at the level of a large city and can help steer local containment measures in a targeted manner.
SUBMITTER: Neuhann F
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9362610 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Neuhann Florian F Ginzel Sebastian S Buess Michael M Wolff Anna A Kugler Sabine S Schlanstedt Günter G Kossow Annelene A Nießen Johannes J Rüping Stefan S
Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz 20220803 9
<h4>Background and goals</h4>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, G ...[more]