Brazilian Black Women are at Higher Risk for COVID-19 Complications: An Analysis of REBRACO, a National Cohort

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the impact of the race (Black versus non-Black) on maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 in Brazil.

Methods This is a subanalysis of REBRACO, a Brazilian multicenter cohort study designed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women. From February 2020 until February 2021, 15 maternity hospitals in Brazil collected data on women with respiratory symptoms. We selected all women with a positive test for COVID-19; then, we divided them into two groups: Black and non-Black women. Finally, we compared, between groups, sociodemographic, maternal, and perinatal outcomes. We obtained the frequency of events in each group and compared them using X2 test; p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. We also estimated the odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (CI).

Results 729 symptomatic women were included in the study; of those, 285 were positive for COVID-19, 120 (42.1%) were Black, and 165 (57.9%) were non-Black. Black women had worse education (p = 0.037). The timing of access to the health system was similar between both groups, with 26.3% being included with seven or more days of symptoms. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (OR 2.22 CI 1.17–4.21), intensive care unit admission (OR 2.00 CI 1.07–3.74), and desaturation at admission (OR 3.72 CI 1.41–9.84) were more likely to occur among Black women. Maternal death was higher among Black women (7.8% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.048). Perinatal outcomes were similar between both groups.

Conclusion Brazilian Black women were more likely to die due to the consequences of COVID-19.

Resumo

Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da raça (negra versus não negra) nos desfechos maternos e perinatais de gestantes com COVID-19 no Brasil.

Métodos Esta é uma subanálise da REBRACO, um estudo de coorte multicêntrico brasileiro desenhado para avaliar o impacto da COVID-19 em mulheres grávidas. De fevereiro de 2020 a fevereiro de 2021, 15 maternidades do Brasil coletaram dados de mulheres com sintomas respiratórios. Selecionamos todas as mulheres com teste positivo para COVID-19; em seguida, as dividimos em dois grupos: mulheres negras e não negras. Finalmente, comparamos, entre os grupos, os resultados sociodemográficos, maternos e perinatais. Obtivemos a frequência dos eventos em cada grupo e comparamos usando o teste X2; Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados significativos. Também estimamos o odds ratio (OR) e os intervalos de confiança (IC).

Resultados 729 mulheres sintomáticas foram incluídas no estudo; desses, 285 foram positivos para COVID-19, 120 (42,1%) eram negros e 165 (57,9%) não eram negros. As mulheres negras apresentaram pior escolaridade (p = 0,037). O tempo de acesso ao sistema de saúde foi semelhante entre os dois grupos, com 26,3% incluídos com sete ou mais dias de sintomas. Síndrome respiratória aguda grave (OR 2,22 CI 1,17–4,21), admissão em unidade de terapia intensiva (OR 2,00 CI 1,07–3,74) e dessaturação na admissão (OR 3,72 CI 1,41–9,84) foram mais prováveis de ocorrer entre mulheres negras. A mortalidade materna foi maior entre as negras (7,8% vs. 2,6%, p = 0,048). Os resultados perinatais foram semelhantes entre os dois grupos.

Conclusão Mulheres negras brasileiras tiveram maior probabilidade de morrer devido às consequências da COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19 - Obstetrics - Racial disparities - Black women

Palavras-chave

COVID-19 - Obstetrícia - Disparidades raciais - Mulheres negras

Introduction

During pregnancy, COVID-19 has been associated with worse maternal and perinatal outcomes, such as a higher likelihood of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), requiring invasive ventilation, increased risk of preterm birth, pre-eclampsia, indication for C-sections, more significant admission to the neonatal ICU, and maternal death.[1]

In Brazil, one of the countries that have arguably suffered the most from the pandemic, disparities according to skin color have also affected maternal mortality - with maternal deaths being twice as frequent in Black women compared to White women.[2] The consequences of the pandemic have thus exposed underlying healthcare delays and highlighted the vulnerability of the system's diverse and multi-racial population.[3]

Brazil is known for its racial plurality but is also marked by structural and cultural racism.[4] According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE),[5] the Brazilian population is primarily Black (56.3%). Nevertheless, racism and racial disparities are perpetuated. It is known that structural racism is central to determining population health and there is increasing evidence of ethnic and racial disparities pervading health issues.[6] Concerning maternal health, Black women have the highest mortality and severe maternal morbidity rates in addition to delayed (or lack of) prenatal care, inappropriate health assistance, and worse experiences during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.[7] [8]

The Brazilian network of COVID-19 during pregnancy initiative (REBRACO) is a multicenter cohort study aimed at evaluating the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum in Brazil.[9] This analysis aimed to understand the impact of race on maternal and perinatal outcomes of Brazilian women with COVID-19.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of REBRACO (Brazilian Network of COVID-19 and Obstetrics, in the Portuguese acronym). REBRACO was a multicenter prospective cohort conducted from February 2020 until February 2021 that included 15 Brazilian maternity hospitals.

Methodological aspects and main findings of REBRACO have previously been published elsewhere.[9] [10] [11] Briefly, during the data collection period, all women with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection attended at any center of those participating in REBRACO were invited to participate in the study after signing informed consent. Suspected SARS-CoV2 infection was considered when women presented any of the following signs and symptoms: fever, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, dyspnea, chest pain, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, wheezing, dizziness, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, headache, sore throat, hyposmia/anosmia, ageusia, desaturation/oxygen saturation <95%, loss of consciousness, confusion, seizure, cyanosis, rash, skin ulcer, difficulty in swallowing, dehydration, inappetence, intercostal retraction, pain abdominal pain, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, contractions, reduced fetal movements, vaginal bleeding and inability to walk. Participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection according to the local availability of testing.

For this analysis, we selected all women with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 and for whom data regarding racial status was available. We considered the IBGE criteria for skin color classification for the racial status analysis.[12] The IBGE classifies the Brazilian population into five categories based on skin color by asking individuals to self-identify as either White, Black, "Pardo" (brown), Yellow (East Asian), or Indigenous.[12] In Brazil, ethnicity is particularly complex due to great miscegenation, and the term "Pardo" thus represents a diverse range of ethnic-mixed backgrounds.[12] The IBGE categorizes Black people in Brazil as all people who identify as Black and Pardo. So, in this study, the category "Black woman" referred to women who self-declared as Black or "Pardo". In contrast, the category "non-Black woman" corresponds to the other three IBGE skin color categories (i.e., White, Yellow, and Indigenous).[12]

The following characteristics were evaluated in the current study: sociodemographic (age, education, marital status, pre-gestational BMI, region), obstetric characteristics (multiple pregnancy, parity, planned or unplanned pregnancy, pregnancy or postpartum period, type of prenatal insurance), and previous maternal comorbidities (alcohol use, asthma, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, HIV infection, hypertension, and smoking). For descriptive purposes, the North and Northeast Brazilian regions were grouped. This information was collected at enrolment.

After the clinical presentation of a suspected case of COVID-19, we followed the women until delivery if pregnant or until resolution of the COVID-19 suspected case if postpartum at admission. Data related to the suspicious symptomatic COVID-19 infection, characteristics of the management and resolution of the suspected infection, pregnancy, and maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected through a review of medical records, telephone interviews with the women, and in-person interviews.

Medical chart data were registered in the online RedCap® platform (an encrypted database where all the participating investigators could insert and update confidential patient information). Research collaborators had hierarchical and clustered access to the system; data was properly anonymized and personal, and contact information was kept confidential. The STROBE Statement (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) was followed.[13]

For statistical analysis, women were divided into Black and Non-Black women. For bivariate analysis, we performed Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests (according to the number of subjects). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We also obtained the Odds ratio (OR), and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for conditions relating to care provision and outcomes according to skin color. We performed statistical analysis with the software EpiInfo 7.2.5.0 (Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, 2011).

The REBRACO study followed the Declaration of Helsinki amended in Hong Kong in 1964, and it was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the coordinating center and by each participating center (Research Ethics Committee of the School Medical Science, Letters of Approval numbers 4.047.168, 4.179.679, and 4.083.988). All women invited to participate received detailed information about the study, the follow-up, and the data and sample collections, when applicable. Participating women signed written informed consent documents before being enrolled. Regarding the underage patients, written informed consent was obtained from their guardians before enrollment and after receiving complete information about the study.

Results

A total of 729 women were included in the REBRACO cohort; of those, data regarding racial status was available for 710 women (301 (42.4%) Black women and 409 (57.6%) non-Black women). Of those, 557 underwent COVID-19 testing, according to each center's protocol. Two hundred eighty-five (285) women were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and were included in this analysis. Among those women, 120 (42.1%) were Black, and 165 (57.9%) were non-Black. [Figure 1] presents the inclusion flowchart for this analysis.

Fig. 1 Flowchart of women included in this analysis.

[Table 1] presents the sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics of included women in this analysis. The majority of women included in both groups came from the Southeast region of Brazil, which is the largest in the country. Among Black women, the second most important region was North/Northeast. In contrast, in the other group, the second most important region was the South, expressing a national difference in racial distribution of the population (p-value <0.01). Black women had low educational levels (27.4% vs. 41.3%, p-value = 0.037). Another critical difference among both groups was regarding the source of payment for antenatal care: exclusive public funding occurred for 75.5% of Black women and 63.8% of non-Black women (p-value = 0.044).

Table 1 Sociodemographic and obstetrical characteristics of COVID-19 symptomatic women classified according to skin colour

Variable	Black	Non-Black	P-value
N	120 (42.1)	165 (57.9)
Region			<0.01
North/Northeast	39 (32.5)	4 (2.4)
Southeast	75 (62.5)	108 (65.5)
South	6 (5.0)	53 (32.1)
Marital Status			0.58
With partner	75 (64.1)	109 (67.3)
Without partner	42 (35.9)	53 (32.7)
Schooling			0.037
Secondary or less	74 (73.3)	82 (60.3)
College or more	27 (26.7)	54 (39.7)
Obesity	20 (27.4)	52 (41.3)	0.049
Health insurance of antenatal care			0.044
Public	80 (75.5)	102 (63.8)
Private	26 (24.5)	58 (36.2)
Parity			0.027
First pregnancy	50 (42.4)	49 (29.7)
Two or more	68 (57.6)	116 (70.3)
Unplanned pregnancy	46 (46.0)	94 (63.5)	>0.01
Pre-existing hypertension	9 (7.5)	16 (9.7)	0.517
Pre-existing diabetes	3 (2.5)	3 (1.8)	0.692
Asthma	12 (10.0)	9 (5.5)	0.147
Chronic kidney disease	1 (0.8)	0 (0)	0.240
Smoking	2 (1.7)	0 (0)	0.09

[Table 2] shows some delays associated with care among women with COVID-19. Inclusion in the study after seven or more days of symptoms was considered a proxy for the delay to start care, and 29 (25.7%) Black women and 46 (29.7%) non-Black women had delays according to this criterion. Also, 17 (14.8%) and 22 (13.8%) women in the groups expressed difficulty in self-perception of illness; however, few reported difficulties accessing health services. Rates of delays were similar among both groups.

Table 2 Risk estimates for delays associated with care among women with COVID-19, according to race background

	Black	Non-Black	Odds ratio (Confidence interval)	p-value
Multiple testing	23 (19.3)	32 (19.6)	0.981 (0.540–1.782)	0.949
≥ 7 days with symptoms at enrolment	29 (25.7)	46 (29.7)	0.818 (0.474–1.411)	0.470
Difficulty in self-perception of illness	17 (14.8)	22 (13.8)	1.088 (0.549–2.156)	0.809
Difficulty in health services access	2 (1.8)	4 (2.5)	0.688 (0.124–3.819)	0.667

Black women had a higher frequency of adverse maternal outcomes, according to the results presented in [Table 3]. Black women were more likely to be admitted with desaturation (OR 3.723, CI 1.408–9.844) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (OR 2.216, CI 1.166–4.211). The association of these conditions increased the intensive care unit admission among those women (OR 1.998, CI 1.067–3.743). Occurrence of maternal death was significantly higher among Black women: 9 (7.8%) deaths in this group, compared to 4 (2.6%) (p-value 0.048) in the other group.

Table 3 Risk estimates for adverse maternal outcomes in COVID-19 positive women classified according to skin colour

	Black	Non-Black	Odds ratio (Confidence interval)	p-value
SARS	27 (22.5)	19 (11.6)	2.216 (1.166–4.211)	0.014
ICU admission	27 (22.7)	21 (12.8)	1.998 (1.067–3.743)	0.029
Intubation	9 (8.1)	9 (6.7)	1.225 (0.469–3.201)	0.678
Pronation	9 (8.2)	5 (3.7)	2.299 (0.747–7.07)	0.137
Maternal Death	9 (7.8)	4 (2.6)	3.175 (0.953–10.580)	0.048
Desaturation	16 (13.7)	6 (4.1)	3.723 (1.408–9.844)	<0.01

We observed a high frequency of preterm delivery in our sample (32.5% and 29.2%, Black and non-Black women, respectively); however, it was similar between both groups; it probably impacted the frequency of neonatal intensive care unit admission (28.4% and 26.1%). The majority of women included in this analysis underwent cesarean section. These data is presented in [Table 4].

Table 4 Risk estimates for gestational and perinatal outcomes in confirmed COVID-19 women classified according to skin colour

	Black	Non-Black	Odds ratio (Confidence interval)	p-value
Fetal Death	2 (2.5)	1 (0.9)	2.897 (0.258–32.510)	0.367
Preterm delivery	26 (32.5)	33 (29.2)	1.167 (0.628–2.168)	0.624
Preeclampsia	10 (12.8)	11 (9.7)	1.364 (0.549–3.387)	0.503
Cesarean section	50 (62.5)	76 (66.1)	0.855 (0.472–1.550)	0.606
Small for gestational age	20 (29.0)	22 (22.4)	1.410 (0.697–2.851)	0.338
Large for gestational age	7 (12.5)	12 (13.6)	0.905 (0.333–2.457)	0.844
5th-minute Apgar < 7	4 (5.3)	5 (4.5)	1.189 (0.309–4.578)	0.801
NICU admission	21 (28.4)	29 (26.1)	1.120 (0.579–2.166)	0.735
Neonatal death	4 (5.5)	3 (2.7)	2.068 (0.449–9.522)	0.342

Discussion

Our study compared maternal and perinatal outcomes of women included in the REBRACO study, a Brazilian national cohort of women with COVID-19. Our results showed that, despite having similar sociodemographic characteristics, Black women were more likely to present SARS, desaturation, and need for ICU admission. The frequency of death among Black women was higher when compared to non-Black women.

The results obtained after analyzing the sociodemographic characteristics were not surprising as a previous study, using data from the Brazilian population, reported similar findings. In that 2017 Brazilian study, having included 23 532 postpartum national women from 266 hospitals, it could be seen that the North and Northeast regions were more concentrated with Black women and showed a higher proportion of adolescent pregnancies.[14] In addition, Black women presented with less education and higher public insurance than non-Black women. Similarly, a previous national population survey showed higher unplanned pregnancy rates and greater use of public health services among Black women than White women.[15] Such findings reinforce how racial disparities are still very present in our population and illustrate how these marked sociodemographic differences may influence access to health services and the quality of care provided, supporting racial inequities in health.[16]

Studies carried out in other countries have also pointed to socioeconomic differences between different racial groups as determinants of health. A cross-sectional analysis of survey data (between 2015 and 2017) from 107 921 women in 40 North American states showed lower rates of insurance among all categories of racial-ethnic minority women when compared to White, non-Hispanic women.[17]

In our study, there was no significant difference between the skin color groups regarding the performance of multiple tests, readmission rate, delay in identifying those who were ill, or difficulty in reaching the health service. Nevertheless, Black women presented with more significant desaturation at admission when compared to non-Black women. Another Brazilian study (including 669 maternal SARS-CoV-2 cases) reported that Black women were more likely to be admitted with low O2 saturation at admission.[18] This factor may also be associated with the greater severity of adverse maternal outcomes detected in our analysis since low oxygen saturation at admission is associated with a higher risk for severe disease.[19]

Black people, with the highest rates of perceived discrimination are generally associated with poorer health outcomes and even worse maternal outcomes.[5] [7] [20] Individuals who have reported any perceived medical setting discriminations in a medical setting have a higher frequency of reporting poor quality of care (e.g., not being allowed to partake in decision-making or not having enough time with the physician). Another effect among individuals who feel discriminated against may be the consequent underutilization of health services.[20] Therefore, it is possible that Black women avoid seeking health assistance because of perceived discrimination and subsequently obtain more severe clinical features.

Previous studies have shown Black skin color as a risk factor for worse adverse maternal outcomes (including maternal death) in women with COVID-19 infection.[1] [2] [3] In a cross-sectional study including 12,566 pregnant and postpartum women, Black women with any comorbidity had a 2-fold mortality rate when infected with SARS-CoV-2 as opposed to White women.[2] Another observational study of COVID-19 patients (not limited to obstetrics) showed that hospital admitted Mixed skin color (Pardo) Brazilians had a 1·45 higher risk of mortality, while Black Brazilians had a 1·32 higher risk of death.[3]

Maternal death was 3-fold higher among Black women in our study. Still, when pregnant women (compared to non-pregnant women) have an increased risk for severe illness associated with COVID-19, the non-White skin color potentially adds additional clinical risk.[1] [2] Historically, higher rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality could be seen among Black women (compared to non-Black women), indicating that racial disparities are present in maternal mortality.[6] The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated these inequalities.[21] Data on maternal mortality in Brazil due to COVID-19 have highlighted the inadequate monitoring of obstetric complications.[22] According to a cross-sectional observational study of COVID-19 hospital mortality using data from the SIVEP-Gripe with not only obstetrics patients, Pardo Brazilians admitted to hospital had 1.45 higher risk of mortality and Black Brazilian 1.32 higher risk of death than White ones.[3] Data from the Brazilian Official Acute Respiratory Syndrome Surveillance System (ARDS-SS), including 9563 pregnant and postpartum women with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), showed that 3·8% died with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.[23] In our study, there were 13 maternal deaths representing 4.7% of the confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients.

We did not find any significant differences in our study regarding preterm births. This was contrasting to previous literature where, in a retrospective cohort study with 162 pregnant and SARS-CoV-2 infected women, the preterm delivery rate was higher among Black women.[24]

COVID-19 does not seem to be a democratic disease and has further exposed the strong association between race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes.[25] For example, despite being a middle-income country where the majority of the population is Black, the structural racism of Brazil (rooted in historical oppression and embedded in dominant cultures and social institutions that, in turn, led to poorer socioeconomic conditions) disproportionally made them the most vulnerable to COVID-19.[3]

While this study has limitations, such as not being representative of the whole country and some regions being underrepresented, it provides some insight into well-documented data regarding the referral maternity hospitals involved in the care of pregnant and postpartum women that have tested positive for COVID-19.

Black women were already disproportionally affected before the pandemic, with the reasons for health system disparity being the same, i.e., implicit bias and structural racism.[26] Healthcare professionals might fail to recognize the effect of implicit bias in their practices, and this failure can potentially affect how obstetricians/gynecologists counsel patients.[13] It is, therefore, essential to broaden the debate and raise awareness of this issue, allowing for identifying and confronting practices that potentially result in verified inequities. Individual implicit bias and the profound impact of structural racism must be acknowledged and accepted before real progress can be made in reducing racial disparities in maternal mortality. However, it remains difficult to talk about racial health disparities in a country marked by structural racism. By helping shed some light on the health system-related discrimination and detrimental effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the Black population, this study hopes to expand the debate on racism in Brazil.

Conclusion

Brazilian pregnant or postpartum Black women with COVID-19 were more likely to present desaturation, SARS, and ICU admission; maternal deaths were significantly higher among them compared to non-Black women. Urgent measures are needed to reduce racial disparities in pregnancy outcomes and discuss the causes of these disparities.

Conflicts to Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by FAEPEX-Unicamp (Fundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e à Extensão) under grant number 2300/20. Dr Renato T Souza received personal funding from the HRP Alliance, part of the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a cosponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO)., this article represents the views of the named authors only and does not represent the views of the World Health Organization. Providing support: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel CAPES/Brazil.

Contributions

All authors contributed to the design of the study and were involved in the data collection, data analysis and/or interpretation. All authors also contributed to manuscript writing/substantive editing and review and approved the final draft of the manuscript.

REBRACO Study Group: Carolina C Ribeiro Do-Valle, Adriana G Luz, Giuliane J Lajos, Guilherme M Nobrega, Thayna B Griggio, Charles M Charles, Silvana F Bento, Carla Silveira, Maria J Miele, Luis Bahamondes, Sherly Metelus, Lester Castro, Stephanie Pabon, Rachel Esteves Soeiro, Artur Antolini, Paulo S R Junior, Thais G Sardinha, Rodolfo R Japenga, Erica R F Urquiza, Maíra R Machado, Marcela Maria Simões, Larissa M Solda, Sue Yazaki-Sun, Priscilla Mota, Arimaza C Soares, Ellen Machado, Anne Bergmann, Gustavo Raupp dos Santos, Patrícia B Peres, Cristiane L Arbeli, Rafael M Quevedo, Carolina F Yamashita, Julia D Corradin, Isabella Bergamini, José Geraldo L Ramos, Maria Lúcia R Oppermann, Laisa S Quadro, Lina Marins, Érika V Paniz, Thaís Vicentini Xavier, Bruna E Parreira, Aline M Tosetto, Sabrina O Savazoni, Aline C Costa, Marina HL Almeida, Bruna FV Moura, Lidiane R França, Hanna Vieira, Rafael B Aquino, Débora F Leite, Isabella Monteiro, Marcos Nakamura-Pereira, Bruna O Guerra, Gabriela Gorga, Daisy Pinheiro, Denise Cordeiro, Priscila L Miná, Carol Dornellas, Kevin FA Oliveira, Mariana Emi Varicoda Makyama, Caio Leal, Rayra Amana, Cristiane O Santos, Marina M dos Santos, Carlos Neto, and Thiago Gomes, Isabela R Pereira, Clélia Andrade Salustrino, Valéria B Pontes, Roberto Allen da Silva Franco, João Paolo Bilibio, Gislânia P F Brito, Hana Paula C Pinto, Danielle Leal de Oliveira, Andrezza A Guerra, Andrea O Moura, Natasha Pantoja, Fernanda David, Alina Silva, Juliana Vasconcellos Freitas-Jesus, Angela M Bacha, Anderson Borovac-Pinheiro, Belmiro G Pereira, Eliana M Amaral, Elton Ferreira, Helaine MBPM Milanez, Jamil P S Caldas, Luiz F Baccaro, Marcelo Nomura, Patrícia M Rehder, Renata Z Simone, Renato Passini Jr, Cristiano Torrezan, João L P Modena, Magnun N Nunes dos Santos, Sergio T M Marba and Tábata R Zumpano dos Santos.

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Publication History

Received: 06 January 2023

Accepted: 10 January 2023

Article published online:
20 June 2023