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. 2024 Aug 23;52(8):817-823.
doi: 10.1515/jpm-2024-0235. Print 2024 Oct 28.

Socioeconomic status as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women

Julia Lastinger  1 , Joachim Gerich  2 , Martina Beham-Rabanser  2 , Patrick Stelzl  1 , Philip Sebastian Trautner  1 , Simon-Hermann Enzelsberger  1 , Reinhard Altmann  1 , Omar Shebl  1 , Peter Oppelt  1 , Sabine Enengl  1
Affiliations
Free article

Socioeconomic status as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women

Julia Lastinger et al. J Perinat Med. .
Free article

Abstract

Objectives: Due to the association between COVID-19 and adverse pregnancy outcomes, pregnant women are considered to be a vulnerable patient group. Studies have shown that low socioeconomic status (SES) is a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. COVID-19 and low SES are likely to have a synergistic adverse effect. This study aimed to evaluate the socioeconomic background, indicated by self-reported SES, educational level, and financial situation, in pregnant women who were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted, including all pregnant women with positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests at Kepler University Hospital Linz between May 2020 and August 2021 (n=150) and a control group matched 1:1 relative to gestational age at birth (n=150). Data were collected using written questionnaires and medical records from the hospital information system.

Results: Lower self-reported socioeconomic status (p=0.029) and lower education level (p=0.003) were detected in the COVID group. Mothers in the COVID group were significantly younger (p=0.024). However, after adjustment for educational attainment, younger age was not confirmed as a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy (p=0.326). The social gradient was not explained by the assumed mediators and confounders.

Conclusions: These findings confirm an association between lower socioeconomic status and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Since both socioeconomic factors and COVID-19 impose negative effects on pregnancy outcomes, health inequalities should be taken into consideration when implementing SARS-CoV-2 prevention measures and when providing health care for pregnant women from disadvantaged communities.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; health inequalities; pregnancy; socioeconomic status.

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