Document

The association between the initial outcomes of COVID-19 and the human development index : An ecological study

Author
Linked Agent
Alderazi, A, Author
Ahmed, D, Author
Jahrami, H, Author
Hamadeh, R.R , Author
Bahammam, A.S, Author
Title of Periodical
Human Systems Management
Country of Publication
Kingdom of Bahrain
Place Published
Sakhir, Bahrain
Publisher
University of Bahrain
Date Issued
2022
Language
English
English Abstract
Abstract: BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Outcomes of the pandemic COVID-19 varied from one country to another. We aimed to describe the association between the global recovery and mortality rates of COVID-19 cases in different countries and the Human Development Index (HDI) as a socioeconomic indicator. METHODS: A correlational (ecological) study design is used. The analysis used data from 173 countries. Poisson regression models were applied to study the relationship between HDI and pandemic recovery and mortality rates, adjusting for country median age and country male to female sex ratio. RESULTS: During the first three months, the global pooled recovery rate was 32.4% (95% CI 32.3% – 32.5%), and the pooled mortality rate was 6.95% (95% CI 6.94% – 6.99%). Regression models revealed that HDI was positively associated with recovery = 1.37, p = 0.016. HDI was also positively associated with the mortality outcome = 1.79, p = 0.016. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that the positive association between the HDI and recovery rates is reflective of the pandemics’ preparedness. The positive association between the HDI and mortality rates points to vulnerabilities in approaches to tackle health crises. It is critical to better understand the connection between nations’ socioeconomic factors and their readiness for future pandemics in order to strengthen public health policies.
Member of
Identifier
https://digitalrepository.uob.edu.bh/id/b69411f6-4df5-464e-b8bb-aab23f1b115a