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Identification of methodological issues regarding direct impact indicators of COVID-19: a rapid scoping review on morbidity, severity and mortality.

Authors :
Garriga, Cesar
Valero-Gaspar, Teresa
Rodriguez-Blazquez, Carmen
Diaz, Asuncion
Bezzegh, Péter
Daňková, Šárka
Unim, Brigid
Palmieri, Luigi
Thiβen, Martin
Pentz, Richard
Cilović-Lagarija, Šeila
Jogunčić, Anes
Feteira-Santos, Rodrigo
Vuković, Jakov
Idavain, Jane
Curta, Anda
Sandu, Petru
Vinko, Matej
Forjaz, Maria João
Source :
European Journal of Public Health; 2024 Supplement, Vol. 34, pi3-i10, 8p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background During the first epidemic wave, COVID-19 surveillance focused on quantifying the magnitude and the escalation of a growing global health crisis. The scientific community first assessed risk through basic indicators, such as the number of cases or rates of new cases and deaths, and later began using other direct impact indicators to conduct more detailed analyses. We aimed at synthesizing the scientific community's contribution to assessing the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on population health through indicators reported in research papers. Methods We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify and describe health indicators included in articles published between January 2020 and June 2021, using one strategy to search PubMed, EMBASE and WHO COVID-19 databases. Sixteen experts from European public health institutions screened papers and retrieved indicator characteristics. We also asked in an online survey how the health indicators were added to and used in policy documents in Europe. Results After reviewing 3891 records, we selected a final sample of 67 articles and 233 indicators. We identified 52 (22.3%) morbidity indicators from 33 articles, 105 severity indicators (45.1%, 27 articles) and 68 mortality indicators (29.2%, 51). Respondents from 22 countries completed 31 questionnaires, and the majority reported morbidity indicators (29, 93.5%), followed by mortality indicators (26, 83.9%). Conclusions The indicators collated here might be useful to assess the impact of future pandemics. Therefore, their measurement should be standardized to allow for comparisons between settings, countries and different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
11011262
Volume :
34
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
European Journal of Public Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
178184629
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae072