Analysis of cases and deaths by COVID-19 in Brazilian nursing professionals

Abstract

Objective:

to analyze confirmed cases and deaths by COVID-19 among nursing professionals in Brazil.

Methods:

epidemiological study using geoprocessing techniques. Data from March 20 until May 28 2020 were collected from the Conselho Federal de Enfermagem [Brazilian Federal Nursing Council]. We used Chi-squared, Mantel-Haenszel, and G test for analysing the association between deaths and age group, sex, geographical region of work.

Results:

17,414 suspicious cases, 5,732 confirmed cases and 134 deaths occurred in the period. The Southeast region showed the highest number of cases (46.35%) and deaths (44.78%). The most affected age group regarding cases was 31-40 years (n = 2,515), and regarding deaths, 41-50 (n = 38). The death rate was higher in men. The variables “age group”, “sex” and “geographical region of work” were significantly correlated to deaths by COVID-19 (p < 0.05). The states Amapá, Roraima and Bahia presented the highest rate of cases per 1,000 officially acknowledged nursing professionals (6.28, 6.10 and 5.99, respectively).

Conclusion:

the data indicate the need for a critical perspective on the nursing field in order to combat COVID-19.

Keywords:
COVID-19; pandemics; nursing; epidemiology; occupational health