Social vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded governments and diverse organizations to work on strategies to prepare and help communities. Increasing recognition of the importance of identifying vulnerable populations has raised a demand for better tools. One of these tools is the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The SVI was created in 2011 to identify and plan assistance for socially vulnerable populations during hazardous events, by providing disaster management personnel information to target specific areas. We aimed to evaluate and determine the social vulnerability in different provinces and districts of Peru in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic using an adapted version of the SVI index. Ecological, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. We adapted the SVI and collected indicators related to COVID-19. We organized and analyzed the population data of the 196 provinces of Peru, using data from government institutions. We found a distribution of high and very high SVI in the mountainous areas of Peru. High and very high social vulnerability indexes, due to the presence of some or all the variables were predominantly distributed in the provinces located in the southern and highlands of the country. The association between mortality rate and social SVI-COVID19 was inverse, the higher the vulnerability, the lower the mortality. Our results identify that the provinces with high and very high vulnerability indexes are mostly located in rural areas nearby the Andes Mountains, not having a direct correlation with COVID-19 mortality.

Association between the health vulnerability of family members and concern about the contagion of COVID‐19 in Peruvian residents after the pandemic

“…The residents of the Coast region have 3999 greater probabilities of perceiving a lower vulnerability of family health compared with the Jungle region's residents. Similarly, a study of a Peruvian population showed that the provinces with high and very high social vulnerability indices are mostly located in rural areas, predominantly in the provinces in the country's south and highlands 29 . In addition, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) points out that people in urban areas perceive less vulnerability compared to people in rural areas, who have been more affected by the abrupt loss of family income and difficulty in accessing essential goods and services, such as health, social protection programs, and economic support, availability of nutritious food, lack of sanitary infrastructure and access to water, as well as the lack of connectivity options and distance education 30…”

“…In turn, a review by Pinquart and Teubert showed that parents of children with chronic diseases experienced higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which could affect the overall perception of family health. 29 In addition, siblings of children with chronic diseases were also found to face emotional challenges and may experience the country's south and highlands. 29 In addition, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) points out that people in urban areas perceive less vulnerability compared to people in rural areas, who have been more affected by the abrupt loss of family income and difficulty in accessing essential goods and services, such as health, social protection programs, and economic support, availability of nutritious food, lack of sanitary infrastructure and access to water, as well as the lack of connectivity options and distance education.…”

“…29 In addition, siblings of children with chronic diseases were also found to face emotional challenges and may experience the country's south and highlands. 29 In addition, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) points out that people in urban areas perceive less vulnerability compared to people in rural areas, who have been more affected by the abrupt loss of family income and difficulty in accessing essential goods and services, such as health, social protection programs, and economic support, availability of nutritious food, lack of sanitary infrastructure and access to water, as well as the lack of connectivity options and distance education. 30 Another additional explanation for the greater vulnerability observed in the mountain and jungle regions is the regional economic inequality that exists in the country.…”

“…In addition, parents reported difficulties balancing the needs of the affected member with the needs of the rest of the family. In turn, a review by Pinquart and Teubert showed that parents of children with chronic diseases experienced higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which could affect the overall perception of family health 29 . In addition, siblings of children with chronic diseases were also found to face emotional challenges and may experience resentment or exclusion.…”

“…In turn, a review by Pinquart and Teubert showed that parents of children with chronic diseases experienced higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which could affect the overall perception of family health. 29 In addition, siblings of children with chronic diseases were also found to face emotional challenges and may experience resentment or exclusion. Then, families with members who suffer from chronic diseases should receive support from public health professionals to help them manage emotional aspects such as stress, anxiety, and depression to improve family health.…”