Abstract
Objective
to analyze deaths in the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ, Brazil) according to the place of occurrence, age group, cause, and sociodemographic characteristics in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Method
the distribution of mortality by place of occurrence, age group, and the cause was calculated. The “excess mortality” was analyzed by comparing the monthly averages of deaths by place of occurrence, causes, and sociodemographic characteristics in April to June of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 with those that occurred in the same months of 2020.
Results
home deaths increased when compared to the average in the previous triennium. The main causes of mortality were not altered but had significant increases. The growth of unclassified respiratory failure and deaths due to ill-defined causes is emphasized. Regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, there was a greater increase among men of black race/color, widowers, and with low education.
Conclusion
the increased home deaths found in the city of Rio de Janeiro may be associated with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, the increase in deaths due to ill-defined causes may be associated with the Covid-19 pandemic due to the lack of tests and difficulty in accessing health services. The greater vulnerability of older people is known, but additional studies are important to understand the gender and marital status differences. Black race/color and a lower level of education are associated with a higher chance of home mortality due to an overlap of risks throughout life, leading people in these groups to greater vulnerability.
Keywords
Pandemics; Coronavirus Infections; Mortality; Health of the Elderly
