The impact of COVID-19 on rural population: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 outbreak became a major global health concern. There are some differences between urban and rural areas that may determine the impact of a viral pandemic. In our study, we aimed to investigate and present epidemiological, demographic, clinical, and radiological data relating to a rural area. Material and Method: This retrospective two-center study involved 2234 patients tested for COVID-19 between March 30th and July 15th, 2020. All patients were analysed for clinical, demographic, and radiological data. Results: Of the patients; 1309 (58.6%) were male, 925 (41.4%) female and 259 (11%) were PCR positive, and 1975 (89%) PCR negative. Of the PCR positive group, 121 (46.7%) were male and 138 (53.3%) female. The mean age was 38 ±18.5. Twenty-nine (11.2%) patients needed intensive care support. Twelve (4.6%) patients died due to COVID-19: two of them due to COVID- 19-related myocardial infarction and ten of them due to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiorgan dysfunction, or septic shock. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 4.6%. Conclusion: Age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart failure were associated with COVID-19 infection. The risk of infection was higher in patients older than 20 years (p<0.001) and females (OR: 1.636; p<0.001). Patients with hypertension (OR: 2.281; p<0.001), diabetes (OR: 1.013; p=0.039), asthma (OR: 2.786; p=0.001) or heart failure (OR: 2.610; p=0.006) had a significantly higher risk of infection.