Association of Homelessness with COVID-19 Positivity among Individuals Visiting a Testing Centre: A Cross-Sectional Study

Tara Kiran; Amy Craig-Neil; Paul Das; Joel Lockwood; Ri Wang; Nikki Nathanielsz; Esther Rosenthal; Stephen W Hwang

doi:10.12927/hcpol.2022.26730

Association of Homelessness with COVID-19 Positivity among Individuals Visiting a Testing Centre: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthc Policy. 2022 Feb;17(3):34-41. doi: 10.12927/hcpol.2022.26730.

Authors

Tara Kiran¹, Amy Craig-Neil², Paul Das³, Joel Lockwood⁴, Ri Wang⁵, Nikki Nathanielsz⁶, Esther Rosenthal⁷, Stephen W Hwang⁸

Affiliations

¹ Scientist, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Family Physician and Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
² Research Coordinator, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
³ Family Physician and Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
⁴ Staff Physician and Assistant Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
⁵ Statistician, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
⁶ Medical Student, MD program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
⁷ Family Physician and Lecturer, Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON.
⁸ Director and Scientist, MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital; Staff Physician and Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Abstract
in English, French

Among those visiting a testing centre in Toronto, ON, between March and April 2020, people experiencing homelessness (n = 214) were more likely to test positive for COVID-19 compared with those not experiencing homelessness (n = 1,836) even after adjustment for age, sex and medical co-morbidity (15.4% vs. 6.7%, p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.51, 3.76], p < 0.001).

Parmi ceux qui ont visité un centre de dépistage à Toronto, en Ontario, entre mars et avril 2020, les personnes en situation d'itinérance (n < 214) étaient plus susceptibles d'être testées positives à la COVID-19 que celles qui ne sont pas en situation d'itinérance (n = 1,836), même après ajustement selon l'âge, le sexe et la comorbidité (15,4 % c. 6,7 %, p < 0,001; rapport des cotes [RC] 2,41, intervalle de confiance à 95 % [IC: 1,51, 3,76], p < 0,001).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Ill-Housed Persons*
Odds Ratio
Social Problems

Abstract in English, French

Publication types

MeSH terms

Abstract
in English, French