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Huguet-Torres A, Castro-Sánchez E, Capitán-Moyano L, Sánchez-Rodríguez C, Bennasar-Veny M, Yáñez AM. Personal protective measures and settings on the risk of SARS-COV-2 community transmission: a case-control study. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1327082. [PMID: 38259788 PMCID: PMC10801386 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1327082] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, nurses of primary health care has been an important role in Spain. Even so, the data obtained in the tracing have been scarcely used to investigate the possible mechanisms of transmission. Few studies focused on community transmission, evaluating the effectiveness of individual protective measures and exposure environment. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the association between individual protective measures and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the community and to compare secondary attack rates in different exposure settings. Methods A case-control study from contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 index patients. COVID-19 contact tracing was led by nurses at the COVID-19 Coordinating Centre in Majorca (Spain). During the systematic tracing, additional information for this study was collected from the index patient (social-demographic variables, symptoms, the number of close contacts). And also, the following variables from their close contacts: contact place, ventilation characteristics mask-wearing, type of mask, duration of contact, shortest distance, case-contact relationship, household members, and handwashing, the test result for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic. Close contacts with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were classified as "cases" and those negative as "controls." Results A total of 1,778 close contacts from 463 index patients were identified. No significant differences were observed between the sexes but between age groups. Overall Secondary Attack Rate (SAR) was 24.0% (95% CI: 22.0-26.0%), 36.9% (95% CI: 33.2-40.6%) in closed spaces without ventilation and 50.7% (95% CI: 45.6-55.8%) in exposure time > 24 h. A total of 49.2% of infections occurred among household members. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that open-air setting (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27-0.71), exposure for less than 1 h (OR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.11-0.32), and wearing a mask (OR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85) had a protective effect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Conclusion Ventilation of the space, mask-wearing and shorter exposure time were associated with a lower risk of transmission in the community. The data obtained allowed an assessment of community transmission mechanisms and could have helped to improve and streamline tracing by identifying close contacts at higher risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Huguet-Torres
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Enrique Castro-Sánchez
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- College of Business, Arts, and Social Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Capitán-Moyano
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| | - Cristian Sánchez-Rodríguez
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Bennasar-Veny
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health and Lifestyle, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aina M Yáñez
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health, University of Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
- Research Group on Global Health and Lifestyle, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Palma, Spain
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Effectiveness of Household Disinfection Techniques to Remove SARS-CoV-2 from Cloth Masks. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080916. [PMID: 36015037 PMCID: PMC9415727 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess the efficacy of washing cloth masks, we simulated SARS-CoV-2 contamination in tricoline fabric and tested decontaminants to reduce viral particles. Viral suspensions using two variants (B.1.1.28 and P.1) were inoculated in these fabrics, and the inactivation kinetics were evaluated after washing with various household disinfection products (Soap powder, Lysoform®, Hypochlorite sodium and 70% Alcohol), rinse numbers, and exposure times. Afterward, the fabrics were washed in sterile water, and viral RNA was extracted and amplified using RT-qPCR. Finally, viral replication in cell cultures was examined. Our findings show that all biocidal treatments successfully disinfected the tissue tested. Some products showed less reduction in viral loads, such as soap powder (1.60 × 104, 1.04 × 103), soap powder and Lysoform® (1.60 × 104, 1.04 × 103), and alcohol 70% (1.02 × 103, 5.91 × 101), respectively. However, when sodium hypochlorite was used, this reduction was significantly increased (viral inactivation in 100% of the washes). After the first wash, the reduction in the number of viral particles was greater for the P.1 variant than for the B.1.1.28 variant (W = 51,759, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the role of sodium hypochlorite in cloth mask disinfection may also have implications for future health emergencies as well as recommendation by WHO.
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Effectiveness of face masks in blocking the transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A preliminary evaluation of masks used by SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264389. [PMID: 35196363 PMCID: PMC8865648 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is transmitted via the airborne route, caused a new pandemic namely, “coronavirus disease 2019” (COVID-19). Although the effectiveness of face masks to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is debated, no study has evaluated the virus-blocking efficacy of masks used by patients. We aimed to evaluate this efficacy of masks used by SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. Data, masks used, and nasopharyngeal swab samples were obtained from these patients. Forty-five paired samples of nasopharyngeal swabs and masks were obtained and processed; the majority of masks were woven. Viral RNAs were amplified using quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and detected only on the inner parts of masks. Median viral load (VL) values of swabs and masks were 1.954x106 and 2,51x103, respectively. Statistically, there was a difference of approximately 1000 RNA copies/mL between swabs and masks and no significant difference in VL values among different types of masks. There were statistically significant differences in VL values between men and women and between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Our findings suggest the blocking of virus transmission by different types of masks and reinforce the use of masks by both infected and non-infected individuals.
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Arias Uribe JI. Impacto de la introducción del cubrebocas contra el COVID-19: una revisión narrativa. Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2021. [DOI: 10.15446/rsap.v23n3.92258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar el impacto de la introducción del cubrebocas contra el COVID-19: qué características tiene y cómo se ha introducido alrededor del mundo. Para ello, se realizó una revisión de la literatura disponible en una base de datos especializada, PUBMED, la cual se ajustó a las directrices enmarcadas en la metodología PRISMA . Se definieron ecuaciones de búsqueda bajo los términos MeSH: humans, COVID-19, severe acute respiratory síndrome coronavirus 2, masks y equipment design, utilizando el carácter booleano AND. Con estas ecuaciones se buscaron artículos publicados en 2020, recuperando 676 registros en total, eligiendo 82 que abordan el tema de interés e incluyendo en la revisión final 49 artículos que cumplían con todos los criterios de inclusión y exclusión definidos. Los resultados sugieren que la introducción de mascarillas tuvo un impacto positivo para reducir el riesgo de COVID-19 y el uso inadecuado del cubrebocas es un factor de riesgo.
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Maude RR, Jongdeepaisal M, Skuntaniyom S, Muntajit T, Blacksell SD, Khuenpetch W, Pan-Ngum W, Taleangkaphan K, Malathum K, Maude RJ. Improving knowledge, attitudes and practice to prevent COVID-19 transmission in healthcare workers and the public in Thailand. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:749. [PMID: 33865342 PMCID: PMC8053080 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10768-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Key infection prevention and control measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hand hygiene, use of facemasks and personal protective equipment. However, these have limited or no impact if not applied correctly through lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitude or incorrect practice. In order to maximise the impact of infection prevention and control measures on COVID-19 spread, we undertook a study to assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and practice among 119 healthcare workers and 100 general public in Thailand. The study setting was two inpatient hospitals providing COVID-19 testing and treatment. Detailed information on knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. Results Knowledge of the main transmission routes, commonest symptoms and recommended prevention methods was mostly very high (> 80%) in both groups. There was lower awareness of aerosols, food and drink and pets as sources of transmission; of the correct duration for handwashing; recommended distance for social/physical distancing; and about recommended types of face coverings. Information sources most used and most trusted were the workplace, work colleagues, health workers and television. The results were used to produce a set of targeted educational videos which addressed many of these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting in a number of areas. This included improvements in handwashing practice with an increase in the number of areas correctly washed in 65.5% of the public, and 57.9% of healthcare workers. The videos were then further optimized with feedback from participants followed by another round of retesting. Conclusions Detailed information on gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. This was used to produce targeted educational videos which addressed these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting. The resulting videos were then disseminated as a resource to aid in efforts to fight COVID-19 in Thailand and worldwide. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10768-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rapeephan R Maude
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. .,Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Thanomvong Muntajit
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Worarat Khuenpetch
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wirichada Pan-Ngum
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Keetakarn Taleangkaphan
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kumtorn Malathum
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Richard James Maude
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, USA.,The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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