Spatial analysis of COVID-19 cases and deaths among nursing professionals ^*

Objective: to map cases and deaths from COVID-19 in nursing professionals, estimating their incidence and fatality rates by region and federative units, and verify the existence of spatial patterns among the federative units.

Method: ecological study based on the electronic portals Observatório de Enfermagem and Enfermagem em Números, with analysis using the R 4.3.1 software. The incidence and fatality rates were calculated, and choropleth maps were constructed by region and federative units. The Global Moran Index was used to verify spatial autocorrelation.

Results: the study covered 64,451 cases of COVID-19, with a female predominance (85.2%) and a focus on nursing technicians (59.3%), with a higher percentage in the Southeast region (36.3%). Deaths were predominantly female (68%), with the North region standing out (27.9%). The fatality rate in these cases was highest in the North region (4.25%) and in the state of Amazonas (28.47%). The spatial analysis showed regional variations, with autocorrelation in the overall case fatality rate in 2020 and for nursing technicians, without significant autocorrelation for other categories.

Conclusion: the mapping of COVID-19 cases and deaths in nursing revealed regional disparities and variations in incidence and fatality rates, highlighting the need to discuss the quality of health services and the effectiveness of the government response.

Descriptors:
COVID-19; Nurse Practitioners; Mortality; Working Conditions; Spatial Analysis; Secondary Data Analysis

Highlights:

(1) COVID-19 has revealed disparities in health and infrastructure in Brazil across the five regions. (2) Professionals are experiencing precariousness, overload and shortages, making them vulnerable. (3) Response to COVID-19 must be adapted to local realities. (4) Developed regions have had better outcomes than less developed regions. (5) Study highlights the urgency of addressing and investing in vulnerable regions.