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ABSTRACT: Introduction and objectives
Little is known regarding the relevance of racial/ethnic background to the risk for COVID-19 infection, particularly in Europe. We evaluated the risk of COVID-19 among migrants from different areas of the world within the context of universal free access to medical care.Material and methods
We conducted a population-based cohort analysis of the cumulative incidence of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 among adult residents of Alcorcon (Spain) in the first wave of the disease up to April 25, 2020.Results
The crude cumulative incidence among migrants (n = 20,419) was higher than among Spaniards (n = 131,599): 8.81 and 6.51 and per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively (p < .001), but differed by region of origin. As per a negative binomial regression adjusted for age and sex, relative risk (RR) for COVID-19 for individuals from Europe, Asia, or North Africa was not significantly different from Spaniards. In contrast, a markedly increased risk was found for people from Sub-Saharan Africa (RR 3.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-9.41, p = .007), the Caribbean (RR 6.35, 95% CI 3.83-10.55, p < .001), and Latin America (RR 6.92, 95% CI 4.49-10.67, p < .001).Conclusions
Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America exhibited increased risk for COVID-19 as compared to Spaniards or migrants from Europe, North Africa, or Asia. Our data suggest that the ethnic background may play a role in risk for COVID-19. Migrants from some areas of the world may merit closer attention for both clinical and epidemiological reasons.
SUBMITTER: Guijarro C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7678416 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Guijarro C C Pérez-Fernández E E González-Piñeiro B B Meléndez V V Goyanes M J MJ Renilla M E ME Casas M L ML Sastre I I Velasco M M
Revista clinica espanola 20201120 5
<h4>Introduction and objectives</h4>Little is known regarding the relevance of racial/ethnic background to the risk for COVID-19 infection, particularly in Europe. We evaluated the risk of COVID-19 among migrants from different areas of the world within the context of universal free access to medical care.<h4>Material and methods</h4>We conducted a population-based cohort analysis of the cumulative incidence of PCR-confirmed COVID-19 among adult residents of Alcorcon (Spain) in the first wave of ...[more]