Epidemiological clinical profile of Covid-19 in medical students in the State of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Objective: To describe the percentage of medical students infected with Covid-19, the prevalence of the outcome of hospitalization or orotracheal intubation, and the prevalence of vaccinated students at the time of infection. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted with medical students in the State of Rio de Janeiro, using a Google form between August and October 2021, following the acceptance of the consent form. Results: 535 medical students participated, with the most prevalent age group being 20-24 years (54.2%), and 80.1% of the students reported no pre-existing comorbidities. 67.9% reported Covid-19 infection, with the majority having mild symptoms. However, 11.7% experienced severe symptoms, 5% required hospitalization, and 1.7% required mechanical ventilation. At the time of infection, only 18.6% were vaccinated. Conclusion: Despite a high number of students already infected at the time of the survey (67.9%), there was a low prevalence of hospitalization (5%) and orotracheal intubation (1.7%), even with a low vaccination rate at the time of infection (18.6%). There was no significant association between the presence of comorbidities and a greater need for hospitalization and/or orotracheal intubation, which can be explained by the young age of the participants.