Social vulnerability and COVID-19 in Maringá, Brazil

A goal-based weighting for composite indicators constructed through Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operator

The Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operator is a multicriteria method that has conquered space among researchers in the composite indicators field. Typically, OWA operator weights are defined by the decision maker. This type of weighting is highly criticized, as decision-makers are susceptible to errors and bias in judgment. Some methods have been used to define OWA operator weights objectively. However, none of them is concerned about the quality of the composite indicator. This paper introduces a method that defines the weights of the OWA operator based on two quality parameters of the composite indicator: the ability to capture the concept of the multidimensional phenomenon and the informational loss. The method can be implemented in Microsoft Excel Solver and has a high degree of flexibility and applicability in problems of a multidimensional nature and a high degree of appropriation by researchers and practitioners in the area.•Defines weights that maximize the ability of the composite indicator to capture the concept of the multidimensional phenomenon.•Considers restrictions to limit the informational loss of the composite indicator or emphasize positive or negative aspects of the multidimensional phenomenon.•Offers flexibility in setting the objective and constraints of the optimization algorithm.

Main social vulnerability indicators in the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran

Background

Social factors play the main role in the vulnerability of exposed countries to disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic as a disaster is not an exception to this fact. This study aimed to determine the main social vulnerability indicators in the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Methods

This study was conducted during the period of 2021-2022 in three phases, including a systematic review, a virtual panel expert, and the Analytical Hierarchy Process. First, the draft of social vulnerability indicators in COVID-19 was extracted through a systematic review. Then, the extracted indicators were finalized and prioritized by the expert panel and the AHP, respectively.

Results

Initially, the literature review found five domains and 38 indicators of social vulnerability in COVID-19. The outcome of the expert panel increased the related domains to six but decreased the indicators to 31. The three prioritized social vulnerability indicators that were determined by the AHP were population density, accessibility to healthcare facilities, and relevant services and vulnerable groups.

Conclusion

Measuring social vulnerability with the identified indicators is valuable for addressing high COVID-19 incidence among socially vulnerable hotspot areas. Regarding the result of this study, further research should be conducted to validate the identified indicators.