Risk determination of COVID-19 among unvaccinated nonpregnant women in Metro Manila, Philippines: A multicenter longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: While the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the general population is well studied, less attention has been given to preexisting socioeconomic, lifestyle, and obstetric-gynecologic factors affecting baseline risks for unvaccinated nonpregnant women in early pandemic days in the Philippines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective multicenter cohort study assessed COVID-19 status and used a validated questionnaire to identify potential disease risks. Generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution were employed to examine the relationship between determinants and COVID-19 status, adjusting for confounding factors. RESULTS: Risk factors include Manila residency, Muslim faith, smoking history, at least one familial comorbidity, and local government hospital admission. Conversely, postgraduate education and contraceptive use seem protective. CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors may be linked to COVID-19 infection in unvaccinated nonpregnant women. Further exploration of sociocultural pressures on women during the pandemic is warranted.