Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Delivery to an Immigrant Population in the Islamic Republic of Iran; [Effets De La Pandemie De Covid-19 Sur La Prestation De Soins De Sante Dans Une Population Immigree En Republique Islamique D'iran] Publisher Pubmed



Golshani K¹ ; Akhlaghi H^{2, 3, 4}
Source: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal Published:2022

Abstract

Background: Healthcare inequity has widely affected marginalized and immigrant communities globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims: This study assessed the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on health care delivery to immigrant populations in Isfahan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods: All 67 hospitals across Isfahan Province were included in this study conducted from 1 March to 31 May 2020. Data on clinical manifestations, comorbidities, patient management, and outcomes of patients during hospital admission were extracted from medical records and analysed using SPSS for chi-square and odds ratio (OR). Results: One hundred and sixty-eight (3.3%) of 5128 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases during the study period were immigrants and were included in the study. There were no differences in sex, clinical presentation, comorbidities, and length of hospital stay between the non-immigrant and immigrant groups. Immigrant patients were significantly younger and had poorer outcomes, including tracheal intubation [OR = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–3.1); P = 0.009] and in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.4; P = 0.02). Conclusion: Adverse health outcomes among immigrant communities may be an indication of health inequity and should be addressed by the relevant policymakers. © Authors 2022; licensee World Health Organization.