1
|
Loy JK, Kimmig C, Klos S, Wunram HL, Langer T, Breitinger E, Bender S. Influence parental- and child-related factors on the acceptance of SARS-CoV-2 test methods in schools and daycare facilities. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1264019. [PMID: 39091535 PMCID: PMC11291219 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1264019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rapid testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections was an essential step in reducing the spread of the virus and monitoring pandemic development. Most mandatory standard pandemic testing in Germany has been performed in schools and daycare facilities. We investigated the influence of behavioral and attitudinal characteristics of children and caregivers on their acceptance of (i) antigen-based nasal swab rapid and (ii) oral saliva-based pooled Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. Methods Conducted through a cross-sectional survey between November and December 2021, with 1962 caregivers and 581 children/adolescents participating, the study evaluated the acceptability of each testing method on a six-point scale. Participants scored one test method conducted on their child at one of six levels with 1 and 6 denoting "excellent" (1) and "inadequate" (6), respectively. We considered demographic variables, vaccination status, child mental health (measured by the SDQ-questionnaire), and facility type (kindergarten, primary school, secondary school) as covariates. Results Results reveal a preference for saliva-based PCR tests over nasal swabs by about one grade, particularly among parents of unvaccinated children, especially if their child expressed future vaccination reluctance. Testing acceptance was lower among children with mental health issues, primary school-aged, and those with less-educated parents. Perception of test accuracy and convenience influenced attitudes, favoring saliva-based PCR tests. Moreover, children with mental health issues felt less secure during testing. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the influence of different testing methods on testing acceptance for SARS-CoV-2 in children and caregivers. Our study identifies predictors of lower acceptance of public health surveillance measures and enables the development of educational programs on testing and vaccination tailored to the needs of specific target groups. Moreover, we demonstrate that test acceptance in vulnerable groups can be enhanced by careful choice of an appropriate testing method.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna K. Loy
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christian Kimmig
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Klos
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Child and Adolescent Cognitive Behavior Therapy (AKiP), University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Heidrun Lioba Wunram
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatrics, Köln, Germany
| | - Thorsten Langer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Breitinger
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stephan Bender
- University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Loidl V, Klinc C, Fusiak J, Crispin A, Hoffmann VS, Nennstiel-Ratzel U, Mansmann U. [Results of PCR Pool Testing In Primary and Special Needs Schools In Bavaria For The School Year 2021/2022: Sentinel Surveillance In Face-To-Face Teaching During The Sars-CoV-2 Pandemic]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2024; 86:237-246. [PMID: 38316408 PMCID: PMC11301650 DOI: 10.1055/a-2216-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
In the school years 2019/20 and 2020/21, children were physically, psychologically, and socially stressed by school closures caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. To ensure attendance with optimal infection protection, PCR pool testing was conducted during the 2021/22 school year at Bavarian elementary schools and schools for pupils with special needs for timely detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study analyzes the results of PCR pool testing over time stratified by region, school type, and age of children. The data were obtained from classes in elementary and special needs schools, involving pupils aged 6 to 11 years, who participated in the Bavaria-wide PCR pool testing from 09/20/21 to 04/08/22. Samples were collected twice weekly, consisting of PCR pool samples and individual PCR samples, which were only evaluated in case of a positive pool test. A class was considered positive if at least one individual sample from that class was positive within a calendar week (CW). A school (class) was considered to be infection-prone if three or more classes in that school (students in that class) were positive within a CW. The data included 2,430 elementary schools (339 special needs schools) with 23,021 (2,711) classes and 456,478 (29,200) children. A total of 1,157,617 pools (of which 3.37% were positive) and 724,438 individual samples (6.76% positive) were analyzed. Larger schools exhibited higher PR compared to smaller schools. From January 2022, the Omicron variant led to a massive increase in PR across Bavaria. The incidence rates per 100,000 person-weeks within the individual school samples were significantly lower than the concurrently reported age-specific and general infection incidences in the overall Bavarian population. PCR pool testing revealed relatively few positive pools, with an average of four children per one hundred pools testing positive. Schools and classes were rarely considered infection-prone, even during periods of high incidences outside of schools. The combination of PCR pool testing and hygiene measures allowed for a largely safe in-person education for pupils in primary and special needs schools in the school year 2021/22.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Loidl
- Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie
und Epidemiologie (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,
Medizinische Fakultät, München, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health,
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Medizinische
Fakultät, München, Germany
| | - Christina Klinc
- GP1, Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und
Lebensmittelsicherheit (LGL), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Jakub Fusiak
- Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie
und Epidemiologie (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,
Medizinische Fakultät, München, Germany
| | - Alexander Crispin
- Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie
und Epidemiologie (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,
Medizinische Fakultät, München, Germany
| | - Verena Sophia Hoffmann
- Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie
und Epidemiologie (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,
Medizinische Fakultät, München, Germany
| | - Uta Nennstiel-Ratzel
- GP1, Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und
Lebensmittelsicherheit (LGL), Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Ulrich Mansmann
- Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie
und Epidemiologie (IBE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München,
Medizinische Fakultät, München, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health,
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Medizinische
Fakultät, München, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lange B, Jaeger VK, Harries M, Rücker V, Streeck H, Blaschke S, Petersmann A, Toepfner N, Nauck M, Hassenstein MJ, Dreier M, von Holt I, Budde A, Bartz A, Ortmann J, Kurosinski MA, Berner R, Borsche M, Brandhorst G, Brinkmann M, Budde K, Deckena M, Engels G, Fenzlaff M, Härtel C, Hovardovska O, Katalinic A, Kehl K, Kohls M, Krüger S, Lieb W, Meyer-Schlinkmann KM, Pischon T, Rosenkranz D, Rübsamen N, Rupp J, Schäfer C, Schattschneider M, Schlegtendal A, Schlinkert S, Schmidbauer L, Schulze-Wundling K, Störk S, Tiemann C, Völzke H, Winter T, Klein C, Liese J, Brinkmann F, Ottensmeyer PF, Reese JP, Heuschmann P, Karch A. Estimates of protection levels against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 in Germany before the 2022/2023 winter season: the IMMUNEBRIDGE project. Infection 2024; 52:139-153. [PMID: 37530919 PMCID: PMC10811028 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the need to generate valid and reliable estimates of protection levels against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe course of COVID-19 for the German population in summer 2022, there was a lack of systematically collected population-based data allowing for the assessment of the protection level in real time. METHODS In the IMMUNEBRIDGE project, we harmonised data and biosamples for nine population-/hospital-based studies (total number of participants n = 33,637) to provide estimates for protection levels against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 between June and November 2022. Based on evidence synthesis, we formed a combined endpoint of protection levels based on the number of self-reported infections/vaccinations in combination with nucleocapsid/spike antibody responses ("confirmed exposures"). Four confirmed exposures represented the highest protection level, and no exposure represented the lowest. RESULTS Most participants were seropositive against the spike antigen; 37% of the participants ≥ 79 years had less than four confirmed exposures (highest level of protection) and 5% less than three. In the subgroup of participants with comorbidities, 46-56% had less than four confirmed exposures. We found major heterogeneity across federal states, with 4-28% of participants having less than three confirmed exposures. CONCLUSION Using serological analyses, literature synthesis and infection dynamics during the survey period, we observed moderate to high levels of protection against severe COVID-19, whereas the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection was low across all age groups. We found relevant protection gaps in the oldest age group and amongst individuals with comorbidities, indicating a need for additional protective measures in these groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Berit Lange
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Brunswick, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), TI BBD, Brunswick, Germany.
| | - Veronika K Jaeger
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Manuela Harries
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Brunswick, Germany
| | - Viktoria Rücker
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Streeck
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Sabine Blaschke
- Emergency Department, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Astrid Petersmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Max J Hassenstein
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Brunswick, Germany
| | - Maren Dreier
- Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Isabell von Holt
- Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Budde
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Antonia Bartz
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Julia Ortmann
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Brunswick, Germany
| | - Marc-André Kurosinski
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Reinhard Berner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Max Borsche
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gunnar Brandhorst
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Brinkmann
- Institute for Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Budde
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Geraldine Engels
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marc Fenzlaff
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christoph Härtel
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Olga Hovardovska
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Brunswick, Germany
| | - Alexander Katalinic
- Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Katja Kehl
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Mirjam Kohls
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Krüger
- Dimap, das Institut Für Markt- Und Politikforschung GmbH, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Lieb
- Institute of Epidemiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Pischon
- Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- Biobank Technology Platform, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Rosenkranz
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Rübsamen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jan Rupp
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian Schäfer
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mario Schattschneider
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Anne Schlegtendal
- University Children's Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Simon Schlinkert
- Dimap, das Institut Für Markt- Und Politikforschung GmbH, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lena Schmidbauer
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kai Schulze-Wundling
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Stefan Störk
- Department of Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), and Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Theresa Winter
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of Neurogenetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Johannes Liese
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Folke Brinkmann
- University Children's Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Patrick F Ottensmeyer
- Institute of Virology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Jens-Peter Reese
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Data Science, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Heuschmann
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Data Science, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Clinical Trial Center, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - André Karch
- Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Engels G, Oechsle AL, Schlegtendal A, Maier C, Holzwarth S, Streng A, Lange B, Karch A, Petersmann A, Streeck H, Blaschke-Steinbrecher S, Härtel C, Schroten H, von Kries R, Berner R, Liese J, Brinkmann F, Toepfner N. SARS-CoV-2 sero-immunity and quality of life in children and adolescents in relation to infections and vaccinations: the IMMUNEBRIDGE KIDS cross-sectional study, 2022. Infection 2023; 51:1531-1539. [PMID: 37280412 PMCID: PMC10243264 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02052-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study evaluates the effects on sero-immunity, health status and quality of life of children and adolescents after the upsurge of the Omicron variant in Germany. METHODS This multicenter cross-sectional study (IMMUNEBRIDGE Kids) was conducted within the German Network University Medicine (NUM) from July to October 2022. SARS-CoV-2- antibodies were measured and data on SARS-CoV-2 infections, vaccinations, health and socioeconomic factors as well as caregiver-reported evaluation on their children's health and psychological status were assessed. RESULTS 497 children aged 2-17 years were included. Three groups were analyzed: 183 pre-schoolchildren aged 2-4 years, 176 schoolchildren aged 5-11 years and 138 adolescents aged 12-18 years. Positive antibodies against the S- or N-antigen of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 86.5% of all participants (70.0% [128/183] of pre-schoolchildren, 94.3% of schoolchildren [166/176] and 98.6% of adolescents [136/138]). Among all children, 40.4% (201/497) were vaccinated against COVID-19 (pre-schoolchildren 4.4% [8/183], schoolchildren 44.3% [78/176] and adolescents 83.3% [115/138]). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was lowest in pre-school. Health status and quality of life reported by the parents were very positive at the time of the survey (Summer 2022). CONCLUSION Age-related differences on SARS-CoV-2 sero-immunity could mainly be explained by differences in vaccination rates based on the official German vaccination recommendations as well as differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates in the different age groups. Health status and quality of life of almost all children were very good independent of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Registry for Clinical Trials Identifier Würzburg: DRKS00025546 (registration: 11.09.2021), Bochum: DRKS00022434 (registration:07.08.2020), Dresden: DRKS 00022455 (registration: 23.07.2020).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Engels
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lisa Oechsle
- Division of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, LMU Munich, Haydnstraße 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Schlegtendal
- Children's Hospital, Ruhr University of Bochum, Alexandrinenstrasse 5, 44791, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christoph Maier
- Children's Hospital, Ruhr University of Bochum, Alexandrinenstrasse 5, 44791, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sarah Holzwarth
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrea Streng
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Berit Lange
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Brunswick, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), TI BBD, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Andre Karch
- Institute for Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Astrid Petersmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Oldenburg, Rahel-Straus-Straße 10, 26133, Oldenburg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University of Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475, Greifwald, Germany
| | - Hendrik Streeck
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, Gebäude 63, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Brunswick, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Härtel
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Horst Schroten
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rüdiger von Kries
- Division of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, LMU Munich, Haydnstraße 5, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Reinhard Berner
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Liese
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Folke Brinkmann
- Children's Hospital, Ruhr University of Bochum, Alexandrinenstrasse 5, 44791, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Lübeck, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schillok H, Coenen M, Rehfuess EA, Kuhlmann PH, Matl S, Kindermann H, Maison N, Eckert J, von Both U, Behrends U, Frühwald MC, Neubert A, Woelfle J, Melter M, Liese J, Hübner J, Klein C, Kern A, Jung-Sievers C. Changes in behavior and quality of life in German young children during the COVID-19 pandemic-results from the COVID kids bavaria study. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1135415. [PMID: 37228432 PMCID: PMC10204608 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1135415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic with its containment measures such as closures of schools and daycare facilities led to numerous restrictions in daily life, putting developmental opportunities and health-related quality of life in children at risk. However, studies show that not every family was impacted equally by the pandemic and that this exceptional health and societal situation reinforced pre-existing health inequalities among the vulnerable. Our study aimed at analyzing changes in behavior and health-related quality of life of children attending elementary schools and daycare facilities in Bavaria, Germany in spring 2021. We also sought to identify associated factors contributing to inequalities in quality of life. Methods Data from a multi-center, open cohort study ("COVID Kids Bavaria") conducted in 101 childcare facilities and 69 elementary schools across all electoral districts of Bavaria were analyzed. Children attending these educational settings (aged 3-10 years) were eligible for participation in a survey on changes in behavior and health-related quality of life. The KINDLR questionnaire (based on children's self-report and parental report) was administered about one year after the onset of the pandemic (spring 2021). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses and comparisons to pre-pandemic KiGGS (German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents) data were undertaken. Results Among respondents, a high percentage of parents reported changes in their children's eating and sleeping behavior, sports and outdoor activities as well as altered screen time. Health-related quality of life in KINDLR analyses compared to pre-pandemic population averages were lower in all age groups (for 3-6-year-old KINDLR-total score: COVID Kids Bavaria MD 74.78 ± 10.57 vs KiGGS data 80.0 ± 8.1; 7-10 years-old KINDLR-total score: COVID Kids Bavaria MD 73.88 ± 12.03 vs KiGGS data 79.30 ± 9.0). No significant differences were detected with regard to associated factors, namely type of institution, sex of the child, migration background, household size and parental education. Conclusion These findings suggest a relevant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's behavior and health-related quality of life one year after the onset of the pandemic. Further analyses in large-scale longitudinal studies are needed to determine the effects of specific pandemic or crisis associated factors contributing to health inequalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Schillok
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela Coenen
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva A. Rehfuess
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Pia H. Kuhlmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Matl
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Kindermann
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole Maison
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
- Institute for Asthma- and Allergy Prevention (IAP), Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Munich, Germany
| | - Jana Eckert
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich von Both
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- Department of Pediatrics, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, StKM GmbH und Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael C. Frühwald
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Antje Neubert
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Melter
- University Children’s Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Liese
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Hübner
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Klein
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Kern
- Department of Pediatrics, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Caroline Jung-Sievers
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Engels G, Hecker K, Forster J, Toepfner N, Hick E, Pietsch F, Heuschmann P, Berner R, Härtel C, Kurzai O, Petersmann A, Streng A, Liese J. High Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Preschool Children in July 2022. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 119:771-772. [PMID: 36700368 PMCID: PMC9884839 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | - Elena Hick
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg
| | | | - Peter Heuschmann
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg,Clinical Trial Center Würzburg (CTC/ZKS), University Hospital Würzburg
| | - Reinhard Berner
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital and Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden
| | | | - Oliver Kurzai
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg
| | - Astrid Petersmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg,Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine,University Medicine Greifswald, University of Greifswald
| | - Andrea Streng
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Error in Figure 3. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2240161. [PMID: 36223122 PMCID: PMC9557875 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.40161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
|