Predisposing risk factors for COVID-19 infection: A case-control study

The Covid-19 epidemic in 2019 has created many public health problems. Literature that focuses on the risk factors of this issue is limited especially in developing countries. This study proposed to examine the risk factors of COVID-19 infection in the west area of Iran.

This case-control study was conducted from February to April 2020 in Nahavand county, western Iran. Cases were all patients who were coronavirus positive and, the controls included people who had clinical signs consistent with COVID-19, but their test results were negative. Two controls were selected for every case. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to evaluate the effects of epidemiological aspects on the incidence of COVID-19.

Significant risk factors for COVID-19 infection based on the multivariable logistic regression model were male gender (OR=1.82, P=0.0.15), age group over 60 years (OR=2.04, P=0.017), living in urban areas (OR=1.79, P=0.018), being married (OR=2.08, P=0.022), having history of contact with the corona patients (OR=5.61, P=0.009), and comorbidities (OR=1.78, P=0.031).

This study highlighted the factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 infection. These findings may help guide recommendations for the protection of high-risk groups.