Date of Conferral
10-17-2025
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Richard Jimenez
Abstract
The population of Puerto Rico has been heavily affected by chronic diseases; however, data remains limited on the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and obesity on the probability of COVID-19 diagnosis. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the association between non-communicable diseases that included DM, obesity, hypertension, and COVID-19 diagnosis, controlling for age and sex and person exposure in Puerto Rico. The sample consisted of 1,463 participants who underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Results from adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses established that obesity OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.23, 2.20], p < .001, and hypertension OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.14, 2.26], p = .007 were significantly associated with higher odds of COVID-19 diagnosis, whereas DM was not, OR = 1.08, 95% CI [0.71, 1.63], p = .730. Overall, obesity and hypertension were identified as independent predictors of COVID-19 Diagnosis, while DM showed no significant association. The positive social change impact of these findings could lead to better understanding of how existing chronic diseases in Puerto Rico may influence predisposition to COVID-19, assisting to effective disease prevention and treatment efforts on the island.
Recommended Citation
Rivera Rodriguez, Julian Rene, "Association Between Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obesity, and Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18521.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18521
