Health Status and COVID-19 Epidemiology in an Inland Region of Portugal: A Retrospective Study

Jorge Lindo, Patrícia Coelho, Catarina Gavinhos, Manuel Martins, Joana Liberal, António Jorge Ferreira, Teresa Gonçalves () and Francisco Rodrigues ()
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Jorge Lindo: FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
Patrícia Coelho: Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (Sprint), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Catarina Gavinhos: IPCB/ESALD—Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, Escola Superior Agrária, UID-QRural, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Manuel Martins: IPCB/ESALD—Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, Escola Superior Agrária, UID-QRural, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Joana Liberal: IPC/ESTSC—Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Escola Superior Tecnologia da Saúde de Coimbra, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
António Jorge Ferreira: FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
Teresa Gonçalves: FMUC—Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
Francisco Rodrigues: Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center (Sprint), Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: Multiple factors, from socioeconomic development to genetic background, can affect the regional impact of some diseases, and this has also been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this retrospective study was to characterize a population in the interior of Portugal regarding health status and COVID-19 epidemiology. Between October 2021 and January 2023, 1553 subjects residing in Beira Baixa, Portugal, were included. Using a self-report approach, demographic and clinical data were obtained. Blood group, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation and anti-spike protein immunoglobulin concentration were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. The average age of the participants was 48.95 (±14.43) years, with 64% being male and 36% being female. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (19.2%), dyslipidemia (12.6%) and diabetes mellitus (6.6%). Half of the population was overweight, and more than half of the subjects had no history of tobacco consumption. Among the participants, 33% were infected with SARS-CoV-2: 70.1% had mild disease, 14.1% moderate disease and 1.4% severe disease. There was a very significant adherence to vaccination (97%). Previously infected or vaccinated people had higher anti-spike protein immunoglobulin values; this value depended on the vaccine administered ( p < 0.001). Patients with autoimmune diseases and smokers had lower levels of anti-S IgG antibodies ( p = 0.030 and p = 0.024, respectively). The severity of COVID-19 did not affect the concentration of anti-S IgG ( p = 0.430). This study highlights the general health statuses and the impact of COVID-19 on a population in the Portuguese interior. Knowledge of the circulation and impact of the virus in this specific population can alert and assist in better interventions being conducted by health authorities.

Keywords: COVID-19; Portugal; Beira Baixa; epidemiology; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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