Inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Peru: An ecological study

Al-kassab-Córdova A.; Mendez-Guerra C.; Silva-Perez C.; Herrera-Añazco P.; Benites-Zapata V.A. · Public Health in Practice (2023) · DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100384

Resumen

Objective: To assess the correlation between COVID-19 vaccination coverage and the Human Development Index (HDI) at the provincial level in Peru. Study design: Ecological study. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional ecological study based on secondary data analysis. Coverages of the first, second, and third doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 and the HDI were evaluated. The magnitude of the correlations was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients with their corresponding bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Scatter plots were also constructed. Results: A total of 196 provinces were included. There was a moderate correlation between the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the HDI (r = 0.3807 [95% CI 0.2585–0.5030], p < 0.0001). The same direction was found for the second (r = 0.4064 [95% CI 0.2853–0.5276], p < 0.0001) and third dose (r = 0.4435 [95% CI 0.3201–0.5669], p < 0.0001). Conclusions: A positive correlation was found between COVID-19 vaccination coverage and the HDI, suggesting the presence of inequalities in access to vaccines. Individualised strategies are needed in lower HDI regions to tackle inequalities.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas; Universidad Científica del Sur; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola; Universidad Privada del Norte