VULNERABILIDADE À COVID-19 NA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE FORTALEZA

Resumen

This study identified the main vulnerability factors and the groups most vulnerable to COVID-19 in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza (RMF), based on an online survey with 437 residents. As data analysis methods, descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used. The concept of vulnerability was operationalized through the construction of the Vulnerability Index to COVID-19 (IVC-19). The most relevant results revealed that the high frequency with which the population goes outside, the low frequency of mask usage when cleaning the packages of purchased products, and the lack of access to medication and medical care are the main factors of vulnerability to the disease. The most vulnerable individuals were young people up to 30 years of age, those with lower levels of income and education, brown, black, Asian, or indigenous people, and unmarried people. Health managers must carefully consider these population groups while devising strategies to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in the FMR, as well as implementing measures that promote changes in the factors that make the population more vulnerable to the disease.