Comparison of COVID-19 Case-Fatality-Rates by Socio- Demographic Factors

• Published in: Journal of academic research in medicine 2020-12, Vol.10 (3), p.246-251
• Main Authors: Keleş Peker, Esra, Bektemur, Güven, Baydili, Kürşad Nuri, Aktaş, Melek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Fatalities; Mortality
• ISSN: 2146-6505; 2147-1894
• DOI: 10.4274/jarem.galenos.2020.3790

Objective: To evaluate socio-demographic risk factors in comparison with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case fatality rates (CFRs). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used the demographic and epidemiologic data that were identified as risk factors for COVID-19 CFRs. The electronic dataset was extracted from an open-source database, Our World in Data, and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control websites. Countries with at least 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases that were reported by July 10, 2020, a reported incidence of the 14-day COVID-19 cases, and having all available parameters were included in the study. Countries with ascertained and/or missing parameters were excluded from this study. A cross-continental comparison was also performed. To analyze the data, One-Way analysis of variance (One-Way ANOVA) followed by the Bonferroni test and Pearson correlation coefficient were conducted. Results: In the final analysis, 137 countries were eligible. The median age, population aged over 65 years, female smoking rates, and life expectancy were positively correlated with the COVID-19 CFRs, while no significant correlation was found with diabetes prevalence, frequency of available handwashing centers, and number of hospital beds per 1,000 persons. The European continent had higher COVID-19 CFRs, while the Asian continent had higher cases/1 million population. Conclusion: It is important to highlight the risk factors for mortality due to the novel coronavirus. This will help to anticipate healthcare needs and implement appropriate mitigation strategies, as well as to prioritize the most vulnerable individuals, thereby increasing their chances of survival from COVID-19.