1
|
Martínez-Baz I, Bullón-Vela V, Soldevila N, Torner N, Palma D, García Cenoz M, Pérez G, Burgui C, Castilla J, Godoy P, Domínguez A, Toledo D. Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Over Time in Postacute COVID-19 Environments: Protocol for an Epidemiological Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e52114. [PMID: 37995118 DOI: 10.2196/52114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, COVID-19 is in transition from the acute pandemic phase into a postacute phase, and special attention should be paid at this time to COVID-19 control strategies. Understanding public knowledge and attitudes plays a pivotal role in controlling COVID-19's spread and provides information about the public's adherence to preventive and control measures. OBJECTIVE This study protocol describes the planning and management of a survey to investigate the persistent or changing trends in knowledge and attitudes regarding COVID-19, vaccination, and nonpharmaceutical preventive measures among COVID-19 cases' household contacts aged 18 years and older, after the acute phase of the pandemic in Catalonia and Navarre in Spain. The secondary objectives include investigating the rate of secondary transmission in households, taking into account the demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and preventive measures toward COVID-19. METHODS A telephone questionnaire was designed to assess the changing trends in knowledge, preventive measures, and attitudes toward COVID-19 in 3 rounds (after identification as a household contact, 3 months later, and 6 months later). The questionnaire was developed following an extensive literature review and through discussions with a panel of experts who designed and assessed the validity of the questionnaire in terms of relevance, consistency, completeness, and clarity. The questionnaire consists of the following 7 sections: social and demographic characteristics (ie, gender, age, educational level, and workplace), comorbidities and risk factors (according to the recommendations from the COVID-19 vaccination strategy), epidemiological data (ie, exposure time, relationship with index cases, and frequency of use of nonpharmaceutical preventive measures), COVID-19 vaccination status (ie, the number and date of doses received), knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19 (assessed using a 5-point Likert scale-totally agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, and totally disagree), and sources of information (including traditional mass media, social media, and official sources). RESULTS A pilot study was performed in May 2022 to evaluate the questionnaire with 22 household contacts. Preliminary findings indicated that the questionnaire was feasible and acceptable in the general population. The average response time was 15 minutes, with greater variations in responses by older participants. After the pilot study, recruitment of participants began and is expected to be completed at the end of the year 2023, after which the final results will be available in 2024. CONCLUSIONS Despite the low transmission levels of SARS-CoV-2 and the relaxation of containment measures, the implementation of the survey during the postacute phase will provide valuable insight to assist public health decision-making and control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, thereby attenuating the negative effects of COVID-19 at individual and population level. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/52114.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iván Martínez-Baz
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Vanessa Bullón-Vela
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Núria Soldevila
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Torner
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Palma
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel García Cenoz
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Glòria Pérez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pombeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Burgui
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Jesús Castilla
- Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pere Godoy
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat de Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Angela Domínguez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana Toledo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee RC, Sood N, Deva S, Macedo M, Soto DW, Unger JB. Evaluation of a COVID-19 rapid antigen testing program among student athletes in a public high school district. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2023; 98:102280. [PMID: 36996640 PMCID: PMC10032046 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to evaluate a COVID-19 rapid antigen testing program among high school athletes through testing data and qualitative analysis from key stakeholders. METHODS Testing data was obtained by the partnering school district. Testing staff, coaches, and parents participated in a focus group using a semi-structured focus group guide. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach to produce the themes of the study. RESULTS Rapid antigen tests quickly identified a COVID-19-positive student athlete, which allowed for quick isolation and zero transmission to teammates. Focus groups with parents, testing staff, and coaches indicated the testing program improved perceived safety and demonstrated the ability for school staff to implement a widespread COVID-19 screening program with minimal training. CONCLUSIONS As schools continue to respond to various waves of COVID-19 infections, targeted testing for high-risk activities in school settings such as sports programs may help prevent school outbreaks during times of high community transmission rates. This evaluation adds to a body of literature that will aid schools and policy makers in their decision on how to best keep student athletes and school communities safe for future waves of COVID-19 infection and other pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Lee
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Neeraj Sood
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, VPD 512F, 635 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sohini Deva
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Marisol Macedo
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Daniel W Soto
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| |
Collapse
|