Posters
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Pediatrics
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract
Purpose: This health surveillance project's goal was to organize de-identified data received from UT Health RGV with the intent to provide timely reporting to testing sites and health affairs directors. We aimed to explore how testing rates differ between counties, testing sites and age groups from March 30 through August 7, 2020. We looked at different demographics and compared the positivity rates for each testing site. For this report, we will detail information for the pediatric population (ages 0-18).
Materials and Methods: A codebook and database were created with information about COVID-19 test data to formulate reports to the testing sites and directors. We used SPSS software to run descriptive statistics and preliminary analysis to help visualize the data.
Results: Based on the American Academy of Pediatrics report on August 13, 2020, Texas only provides pediatric age distribution for 8% of their test results. Based on our data from the Rio Grande Valley, we can aid in reporting test results that included pediatrics demographics. We found that 40.6% (N=1016) of patients 18 or younger at time of testing tested positive (compared to the national average of 3.6-18.3%), 5.7% of total tests were done on patients 18 or younger (compared to 3-12% nationally), and 7.8% of our positive cases were in patients 18 or younger (compared to 9.1% nationally). By county, the positivity rates for COVID-19 testing were as follows: Cameron = 29.8% (N=6379), Hidalgo = 29.3% (N=11249), Starr = 14.3%(N=63), Willacy = 27.3% (N=99), Other TX = 14.3% (N=112), Out of state = 16.7% (N=54). Test positivity by testing site was: Edinburg = 28.7% (N=9637), Mercedes = 30.3% (N=2840), Harlingen = 31.6% (N=3377), Brownsville = 26.8% (N=2102).
Limitations: Not all data is from unique individuals; this database includes retested individuals. Therefore, data results should be interpreted with caution. Additionally, when patients selected their race and ethnicity, the race options included all of the major races, yet ethnicity was limited to the Hispanic/Latino race and a blanket option for “non-Hispanic/Latino”, without the ability to choose other ethnicities. Interpreting data about ethnicity is therefore limited.
Discussion: Further analysis is needed to identify patients retested. A data subset of retested individuals will provide accurate test positivity rate. Overall, the database can provide insightful pediatric data to establish rates of pediatric COVID-19 infections in South Texas. We hope that the data and analysis provided can help inform legislative decision making.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Chandler, Jefferson T. R. and Tapia, Beatriz, "UT Health RGV COVID-19 Testing Report" (2023). Research Colloquium. 1.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/presentation/poster/1
Included in
UT Health RGV COVID-19 Testing Report
Purpose: This health surveillance project's goal was to organize de-identified data received from UT Health RGV with the intent to provide timely reporting to testing sites and health affairs directors. We aimed to explore how testing rates differ between counties, testing sites and age groups from March 30 through August 7, 2020. We looked at different demographics and compared the positivity rates for each testing site. For this report, we will detail information for the pediatric population (ages 0-18).
Materials and Methods: A codebook and database were created with information about COVID-19 test data to formulate reports to the testing sites and directors. We used SPSS software to run descriptive statistics and preliminary analysis to help visualize the data.
Results: Based on the American Academy of Pediatrics report on August 13, 2020, Texas only provides pediatric age distribution for 8% of their test results. Based on our data from the Rio Grande Valley, we can aid in reporting test results that included pediatrics demographics. We found that 40.6% (N=1016) of patients 18 or younger at time of testing tested positive (compared to the national average of 3.6-18.3%), 5.7% of total tests were done on patients 18 or younger (compared to 3-12% nationally), and 7.8% of our positive cases were in patients 18 or younger (compared to 9.1% nationally). By county, the positivity rates for COVID-19 testing were as follows: Cameron = 29.8% (N=6379), Hidalgo = 29.3% (N=11249), Starr = 14.3%(N=63), Willacy = 27.3% (N=99), Other TX = 14.3% (N=112), Out of state = 16.7% (N=54). Test positivity by testing site was: Edinburg = 28.7% (N=9637), Mercedes = 30.3% (N=2840), Harlingen = 31.6% (N=3377), Brownsville = 26.8% (N=2102).
Limitations: Not all data is from unique individuals; this database includes retested individuals. Therefore, data results should be interpreted with caution. Additionally, when patients selected their race and ethnicity, the race options included all of the major races, yet ethnicity was limited to the Hispanic/Latino race and a blanket option for “non-Hispanic/Latino”, without the ability to choose other ethnicities. Interpreting data about ethnicity is therefore limited.
Discussion: Further analysis is needed to identify patients retested. A data subset of retested individuals will provide accurate test positivity rate. Overall, the database can provide insightful pediatric data to establish rates of pediatric COVID-19 infections in South Texas. We hope that the data and analysis provided can help inform legislative decision making.