# Signs, symptoms and comorbidities of COVID-19 infection in informal workers in Medellin, Colombia, 2021

## TL;DR

This study examines how sociodemographic factors, symptoms, and comorbidities relate to COVID-19 infection among informal workers in Medellin, Colombia, in 2021.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the specific risk factors and symptoms of COVID-19 among informal workers in a low-income urban setting.

## Key findings

- Higher prevalence of COVID-19 was found among those with close contact to infected individuals and without medical care.
- Symptoms like fever, dry cough, and anosmia were associated with a higher likelihood of a COVID-19 diagnosis.
- Cohabitation and confinement conditions may have increased infection spread among informal workers.

## Abstract

Despite numerous studies on COVID-19, there is still limited evidence
regarding its behavior in subsistence workers.

To describe how sociodemographic conditions, signs, symptoms, and
comorbidities are related to COVID-19 infection among informal workers in
Medellin, Colombia, in 2021.

This cross-sectional study used primary data obtained from a broader project.
A total of 656 workers were recruited through snowball sampling. The study
assessed sociodemographic variables, infection characteristics, signs,
symptoms, and comorbidities. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses
were performed.

The prevalence of COVID-19 diagnosis was significantly higher (p < 0.05)
among individuals who had contact with a probable or confirmed case,
underwent testing due to contact with a confirmed case, had a coworker or
family member with COVID-19, had contact with an infected family member and
who did not receive medical care. The presence of fever, dry cough, dyspnea,
myalgia, nausea and/or vomiting, abdominal pain, ageusia/dysgeusia, anosmia,
consultation for infection symptoms, COVID-19 testing, and previous
diagnosis of diabetes were also associated with COVID-19. Contact with an
infected family member and who did not receive medical care, as well as
consultation for infection symptoms also explained a higher rate of COVID-19
diagnosis.

During the pandemic, confinement and cohabitation conditions may have
facilitated the spread of infection, increasing the socio-labor and
environmental vulnerability of the working population under study.