Covid-19 and poverty in Costa Rica

Abstract

Introduction: The epidemiology of COVID 19 indicates that the poor are the most affected in cases and deaths, according to studies carried out in El Salvador, Spain, Scotland, Mexico, Latin America and the world. Objective: To compare the behavior of Covid 19 in Costa Rica and to determine its possible relationship with poverty. Methodology: Descriptive tables of the COVID 19 cases were made according to poverty quintiles. The relationship between poverty and total, deceased, active and recovered cases was established with the statistics, correlation coefficient and relative risk. Results: As of December 2020, there were 166,700 cases, 2,153 deaths, 130,989 recovered, and 33,654 actives. The first case occurred in March 2020 and a further progression of cases began on June 15 of this year. The statistical tests, relative risk and correlation coefficient, indicated that the total number of cases and deaths were higher in the poorest cantons. Conclusion: Comparing the poverty results with the total, deceased, recovered and active cases, poverty was a determining factor of the total cases and mortality.