Factors associated with covid-19 deaths in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2020: a cross-sectional study with “Notifique Aqui” system data

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the clinical conditions and sociodemographic characteristics associated with covid-19 deaths in the first year of the pandemic in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, 2020. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study with covid-19-induced severe acute respiratory syndrome cases recorded in 2020 via the “Notifique Aqui” (Report Here) electronic system of the Pernambuco Center for Strategic Information on Health Surveillance. Association between death and sociodemographic and clinical variables was analyzed. Prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using adjusted Poisson regression. RESULTS: the prevalence of death was 28.4% (2,833 cases; 95%CI 27.51;29.28). The associated factors were male sex (PR = 1.05; 95%CI 1.01;1.08), age ≥ 60 years (PR = 0.76; 95%CI 0.72;0.79), dyspnea (PR = 1.06; 95%CI 1.02;1.10), respiratory distress (PR = 1.06; 95%CI 1.03;1.09), oxygen saturation < 95% (PR = 1.08; 95%CI 1.04;1.11) and chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: covid-19 deaths were more prevalent among male, older adults, and people with pre-existing health problems, these being priority groups for combating the pandemic.