This study was aimed at identifying the social determinants related to COVID-19 infection in South Korea. This secondary analysis used data from the 2020 Community Health Survey, a nationwide sample taken to understand the health status of Korean residents. The participants were 220 970 adults 19 years of age or older. COVID-19-related social determinants were age, education level, marital status, household income, hypertension, eating habits, social support, and regional income. The risk of COVID-19 infection increased in those who were under 40 years, were high school graduates or higher, were single, had a household income over US$ 4166.7, ate breakfast 5-7 times a week, had three or more helpers during COVID-19, and lived in a region with above-average income. Hypertension reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection. In conclusion, adults with high socioeconomic activity showed a high risk for COVID-19 infection, which was assumed to include only adults living in residential housing in the community. Further studies are required to include adults living in long-term care or communal living facilities, known to be frequently infected with the corona virus.
Keywords: COVID-19; Korea; health inequities; risk factors; social determinants of health.
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