Questão 58 - Feevale Medicina 2022/1

TEXTO

 

Epidemiological Data by Sex and Age, as a Minimum, Must be Routinely Collected, Analysed, and Reported to Inform Vaccination Strategies

 

To better understand who is at greater risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, morbidity, and
mortality, we need granular data. Global aggregate data indicate an equal distribution
of cases between women and men, but a higher case fatality rate in men. Partial data
on hospitalisation and intensive care unit (ICU) admission from a handful of countries
[5] indicate greater severity of disease in men, explained by a combination of higher
biological susceptibility and gender-related behavioural risk factors. The higher
prevalence of comorbidities in men may be a result of both sex-related and gender-

related risk factors, influenced by higher rates of tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Poorer compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions and delay in seeking
[10] healthcare may further increase men’s COVID-19 risk. Other factors related to
differences in testing, hospital access and ICU admission policies cannot be excluded.
The incidence and case fatality rates depend on the extent of testing among different
population groups, which may vary across countries and over time. Unfortunately, data
on testing, hospitalisation, ICU admission and the post-COVID-19 condition are rarely
[15] available by sex and other indicators, leaving us in the dark with respect to which
groups are at greater risk and why. Notably, transmission patterns and SARS-CoV-2
incidence and mortality vary between women and men across age groups in different
countries as well as within countries. The age-specific female to male ratios and
patterns of morbidity and mortality can further change over time, shaped by evolving
[20] exposure and transmission patterns in the society or extent of testing or
diagnosis. While data continue to point to higher mortality among men, emerging data
reveal that mid-adult women are more likely to suffer from post-COVID-19 condition.
Gender differences can further vary within populations, with greater impact on those
affected by structural disadvantages, such as racial or ethnic minorities, people of
[25] diverse sexual orientation and gender identity, and other underserved groups. Reports
point to higher mortality rates among racial and ethnic minorities, explained by
structural vulnerabilities. These groups may have greater exposure due to working in
the service sectors, living in congregant housing or facilities, or having limited access
to accurate information, prevention measures or health services. Unfortunately, data
[30] on minority groups are rarely available and gender differences within groups are rarely
examined, while these indeed exist. A report from England and Wales points to a
differential male to female mortality ratio for different ethnic minority groups, ranging
from 1.3 to 3.5. Hence, routine collection of disaggregated data and regular
intersectional gender analysis will be invaluable in informing targeted interventions, in
[35] light of limited capacity and resources.

(HEIDARI, Shirin et al. Time for action: towards an intersectional gender approach to COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment that leaves no one behind. BMJ Global Health. Data de publicação: 13 ago. 2021. Disponível em: https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/8/e006854. Acesso em: 15 ago. 2021).

Consider the following statements about the article excerpt.

 

I. Acquiescence with non-pharmaceutical interventions, as well as being willing to pursue healthcare are factors that increase men’s COVID-19 risks.

II. Gender indicators about issues such as intensive care unit admission, hospitalisation, and the postCOVID-19-condition, could aid the understanding about the male and female risks related to this disease.

III. Although the mortality among men is higher than among women, the mid-adult women, presumably, suffer more from post-COVID-19-condition.

 

Check the correct answer.