Detailed Information

Cited 0 time in webofscience Cited 0 time in scopus
Metadata Downloads

Socioeconomic Inequalities in COVID-19 Incidence During Different Epidemic Phases in South Korea

Authors
Yoo, Dae-sungHwang, MinjiChun, Byung ChulKim, Su JinSon, MiaSeo, Nam-KyuKi, Myung
Issue Date
8-3월-2022
Publisher
FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
Keywords
COVID-19; inequality; mobility; SARS-CoV2; social distancing; socioeconomic; spatial analyses
Citation
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE, v.9
Indexed
SCIE
SCOPUS
Journal Title
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
Volume
9
URI
https://scholar.korea.ac.kr/handle/2021.sw.korea/140663
DOI
10.3389/fmed.2022.840685
ISSN
2296-858X
Abstract
ObjectiveArea-level socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) incidence. However, the underlying mechanism of the association is context-specific, and the choice of measure is still important. We aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic gradient regarding COVID-19 incidence in Korea based on several area-level SES measures. MethodsCOVID-19 incidence and area-level SES measures across 229 Korean municipalities were derived from various administrative regional data collected between 2015 and 2020. The Bayesian negative binomial model with a spatial autocorrelation term was used to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and relative index of inequality (RII) of each SES factor, with adjustment for covariates. The magnitude of association was compared between two epidemic phases: a low phase (<100 daily cases, from May 6 to August 14, 2020) and a rebound phase (>100 daily cases, from August 15 to December 31, 2020). ResultsArea-level socioeconomic inequalities in COVID-19 incidence between the most disadvantaged region and the least disadvantaged region were observed for nonemployment rates [RII = 1.40, 95% credible interval (Crl) = 1.01-1.95] and basic livelihood security recipients (RII = 2.66, 95% Crl = 1.12-5.97), but were not observed for other measures in the low phase. However, the magnitude of the inequalities of these SES variables diminished in the rebound phase. A higher area-level mobility showed a higher risk of COVID-19 incidence in both the low (IRR = 1.67, 95% Crl = 1.26-2.17) and rebound phases (IRR = 1.28, 95% Crl = 1.14-1.44). When SES and mobility measures were simultaneously adjusted, the association of SES with COVID-19 incidence remained significant but only in the low phase, indicating they were mutually independent in the low phase. ConclusionThe level of basic livelihood benefit recipients and nonemployment rate showed social stratification of COVID-19 incidence in Korea. Explanation of area-level inequalities in COVID-19 incidence may not be derived only from mobility differences in Korea but, instead, from the country's own context.
Files in This Item
There are no files associated with this item.
Appears in
Collections
College of Medicine > Department of Medical Science > 1. Journal Articles

qrcode

Items in ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Altmetrics

Total Views & Downloads

BROWSE