Vulnerabilities, care, and exposure to illness risks among people with intellectual disabilities in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021)

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities, especially those who require care, are among the most affected by severe forms of COVID-19 and COVID-19- related deaths. In this study we investigated how care needs and other vulnerabilities influence the possibility COVID-19 infection among people with intellectual disabilities in Brazil. Method: Descriptive quantitative study using an online questionnaire answered by 2,800 respondents with intellectual disabilities over the age of sixteen. Results: Individuals with a greater need for care had higher frequencies of positive COVID-19 diagnoses (6.5%-8%) and were approximately six times more likely to be infected by family members than those who did not have COVID-19 in the family. Conclusions: There is a need for specific government measures to protect people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers, because those with greater care needs are the most exposed to risks of contagion and sickness and have potential vectors of infection among family members and caregivers.