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Lan D, Ren W, Ni K, Zhu Y. Topic and Trend Analysis of Weibo Discussions About COVID-19 Medications Before and After China's Exit from the Zero-COVID Policy: Retrospective Infoveillance Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e48789. [PMID: 37889532 PMCID: PMC10638631 DOI: 10.2196/48789] [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] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND After 3 years of its zero-COVID policy, China lifted its stringent pandemic control measures with the announcement of the 10 new measures on December 7, 2022. Existing estimates suggest 90%-97% of the total population was infected during December. This change created a massive demand for COVID-19 medications and treatments, either modern medicines or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore (1) how China's exit from the zero-COVID policy impacted media and the public's attention to COVID-19 medications; (2) how social COVID-19 medication discussions were related to existing model estimates of daily cases during that period; (3) what the diversified themes and topics were and how they changed and developed from November 1 to December 31, 2022; and (4) which topics about COVID-19 medications were focused on by mainstream and self-media accounts during the exit. The answers to these questions could help us better understand the consequences of exit strategies and explore the utilities of Sina Weibo data for future infoveillance studies. METHODS Using a scrapper for data retrieval and the structural topic modeling (STM) algorithm for analysis, this study built 3 topic models (all data, before a policy change, and after a policy change) of relevant discussions on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. We compared topic distributions against existing estimates of daily cases and between models before and after the change. We also compared proportions of weibos published by mainstream versus self-media accounts over time on different topics. RESULTS We found that Weibo discussions shifted sharply from concerns of social risks (case tracking, governmental regulations, etc) to those of personal risks (symptoms, purchases, etc) surrounding COVID-19 infection after the exit from the zero-COVID policy. Weibo topics of "symptom sharing" and "purchase and shortage" of modern medicines correlated more strongly with existing susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) model estimates compared to "TCM formulae" and other topics. During the exit, mainstream accounts showed efforts to specifically engage in topics related to worldwide pandemic control policy comparison and regulations about import and reimbursement of medications. CONCLUSIONS The exit from the zero-COVID policy in China was accompanied by a sudden increase in social media discussions about COVID-19 medications, the demand for which substantially increased after the exit. A large proportion of Weibo discussions were emotional and expressed increased risk concerns over medication shortage, unavailability, and delay in delivery. Topic keywords showed that self-medication was sometimes practiced alone or with unprofessional help from others, while mainstream accounts also tried to provide certain medication instructions. Of the 16 topics identified in all 3 STM models, only "symptom sharing" and "purchase and shortage" showed a considerable correlation with SEIR model estimates of daily cases. Future studies could consider topic exploration before conducting predictive infoveillance analysis, even with narrowly defined search criteria with Weibo data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Lan
- School of Digital Media and Design Arts, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China
| | - Wujiong Ren
- School of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- New Media Research Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Ni
- School of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yicheng Zhu
- School of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- New Media Research Center, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Sundaram N, Abramsky T, Oswald WE, Cook S, Halliday KE, Nguipdop‐Djomo P, Sturgess J, Ireland G, Ladhani SN, Mangtani P, Langan SM, Hargreaves JR, Bonell C. Implementation of COVID-19 Preventive Measures and Staff Well-Being in a Sample of English Schools 2020-2021. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2023; 93:266-278. [PMID: 36450450 PMCID: PMC9877738 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined fidelity and feasibility of implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in schools, and explored associations between adherence to these measures and staff well-being, to inform policy on sustainable implementation and staff wellbeing. METHODS Surveys were conducted across 128 schools in England with 107 headteachers and 2698 staff-members with reference to autumn term 2020, examining school-level implementation of preventive measures, adherence, and teacher burnout (response rates for headteacher and staff surveys were 84% and 59%, respectively). RESULTS The median number of measures implemented in primary and secondary schools was 33 (range 23-41), and 32 (range 22-40), respectively; most measures presented challenges. No differences were found regarding number of measures implemented by school-level socio-economic disadvantage. High adherence was reported for staff wearing face-coverings, staff regularly washing their hands, (secondary only) desks facing forwards, and (primary only) increased cleaning of surfaces and student hand-washing. Adherence to most measures was reported as higher in primary than secondary schools. Over half of school leaders and 42% (517/1234) of other teaching staff suffered from high emotional exhaustion. Higher teacher-reported school-wide adherence with measures was consistently associated with lower burnout for leaders and other teaching staff. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate a tremendous effort in implementing preventive measures and an urgent need to support investments in improving teacher wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neisha Sundaram
- Department of Public Health, Environments and SocietyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1H 9SHLondonUK
| | - Tanya Abramsky
- Department of Global Health and DevelopmentLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1H 9SHLondonUK
| | - William E Oswald
- Department of Disease ControlLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1E 7HTLondonUK
| | - Sarah Cook
- Department of Non‐communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Katherine E Halliday
- Department of Disease ControlLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1E 7HTLondonUK
| | - Patrick Nguipdop‐Djomo
- Department of Infectious Disease EpidemiologyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1E 7HTLondonUK
| | - Joanna Sturgess
- Department of Medical StatisticsLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1E 7HTLondonUK
| | | | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Public Health Programmes, UK Health Security Agency; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Punam Mangtani
- Department of Infectious Disease EpidemiologyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1E 7HTLondonUK
| | - Sinéad M Langan
- Department of Non‐communicable Disease EpidemiologyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1E 7HTLondonUK
| | - James R Hargreaves
- Department of Public Health, Environments and SocietyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1H 9SHLondonUK
| | - Chris Bonell
- Department of Public Health, Environments and SocietyLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineWC1H 9SHLondonUK
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Sundaram N, Tilouche N, Cullen L, Hosseini P, Nguipdop-Djomo P, Langan SM, Hargreaves JR, Bonell C. Implementation in an emergency: Qualitative longitudinal research on the experience of implementing Covid-19 prevention in English schools. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2023; 3:100257. [PMID: 36998431 PMCID: PMC10037912 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Implementation studies rarely examine how health interventions are delivered in emergencies. Informed by May's general theory of implementation (GTI), we undertook qualitative longitudinal research to investigate how schools in England implemented Covid-19-prevention measures and how this evolved over the 2020–2021 school year in a rapidly changing epidemiological and policy context. We conducted 74 semi-structured interviews over two time-points with headteachers, teachers, parents and students across eight primary and secondary schools. School leaders rapidly made sense of government guidance despite many challenges. They developed and disseminated prevention plans to staff, parents and students. As defined by GTI, ‘cognitive participation’ and ‘collective action’ to enact handwashing, one-way systems within schools and enhanced cleaning were sustained over time. However, measures such as physical distancing and placing students in separated groups were perceived to conflict with schools' mission to promote student education and wellbeing. Commitment to implement these was initially high during the emergency phase but later fluctuated dependant on perceived risk and local disease epidemiology. They were not considered sustainable in the long term. Adherence to some measures, such as wearing face-coverings, initially considered unworkable, improved as they were routinised. Implementing home-based asymptomatic testing was considered feasible. Formal and informal processes of ‘reflexive monitoring’ by staff informed improvements in intervention workability and implementation. Leaders also developed skills and confidence, deciding on locally appropriate actions, some of which deviated from official guidance. However, over time, accumulating staff burnout and absence eroded school capacity to collectively enact implementation. Qualitative longitudinal research allowed us to understand how implementation in an emergency involved the above emergent processes. GTI was useful in understanding school implementation processes in a pandemic context but may need adaptation to take into account the changing and sometimes contradictory objectives, time-varying factors and feedback loops that can characterise implementation of health interventions in emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neisha Sundaram
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Nerissa Tilouche
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy Cullen
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Paniz Hosseini
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - Sinéad M Langan
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - James R Hargreaves
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Bonell
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom
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Meyerding SGH, Marpert JD. Modern pied pipers: Child social media influencers and junk food on YouTube: A study from Germany. Appetite 2023; 181:106382. [PMID: 36435300 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106382] [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: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Kid influencers (under the age of 13) have profiles on social media platforms and create content to generate views and engagements. To reach young consumers, food companies are increasingly using kid influencers, perceived as highly trustworthy among children of the same age, to promote their (high-calorie) food products. Exposure to such content can lead to an increase in calorie intake. Therefore, this study aimed to identify which foods and beverages are featured in the videos of the four kid influencer channels most popular in Germany and, if possible, which Nutri-Score category these products receive. Of each channel, 50 of the most popular and 50 of the newest videos were analyzed regarding the food and beverage products and brands appearing in the video and the thumbnail. To analyze the number of appearances, each product was categorized as to whether it was branded or unbranded. Where possible, the Nutri-Score was then calculated for each product that appeared. Within the total video sample (N = 373), food and/or beverages appeared in almost 70% of the videos, of which 220 were branded and 178 were unbranded products. Due to incomplete nutrition labels of branded products, only 146 branded products could be analyzed, from which 66% received the worst Nutri-Score categories D and E. The unbranded foods were evaluated using products as similar as possible, of which the majority received Nutri-Score A. The most common brands included McDonald's, Kinder, and Coca-Cola, and the most frequent product categories were chocolate, candy, soft drinks, and fruit. The high number of high-calorie products in the videos shows that kid influencers might be regarded as a risk factor when it comes to childhood obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan G H Meyerding
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Home Economics, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Jasmin D Marpert
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Home Economics, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
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5
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Theuring S, Kern M, Hommes F, Mall MA, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP, Glatz T, Kurth T. Generalized anxiety disorder in Berlin school children after the third COVID-19 wave in Germany: a cohort study between June and September 2021. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2023; 17:1. [PMID: 36597131 PMCID: PMC9808730 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00552-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescents worldwide have disproportionally been affected in their psychological health and wellbeing. We conducted a cohort study among German school children, aiming at assessing levels of general anxiety disorder (GAD) and identifying associated factors in the second pandemic year. METHODS A cohort of 660 students from 24 Berlin schools was recruited to fill in questionnaires including the GAD-7 tool on anxiety symptoms at three time points between June and September 2021. To adjust for non-random attrition, we applied inverse probability weighting. We describe reported GAD levels stratified by time point, sex, and school type and report odds ratios from univariate logistic regression. RESULTS In total, 551 participants (83%) filled in at least one questionnaire at any time point. At the first time point in June 2021, 25% of the children and adolescents reported anxiety symptoms with a GAD-7 score ≥ 5, decreasing to 16% in August 2021 directly after the summer holidays and rising again to 26% in September 2021. The majority of reported anxiety levels belonged to the least severe category. Being female, attending secondary school, coming from a household with lower education or with lower income level, and being vaccinated against COVID-19 were significantly linked with reporting anxiety symptoms. Preceding COVID-19 infection and anxiety were negatively associated. CONCLUSION Overall, anxiety in school children was lower in mid-2021 than in the first pandemic year, but still double compared to pre-pandemic data. Reporting of anxiety symptoms during the second pandemic year was especially high in females and in secondary school students. Policy makers should pay additional attention to the mental health status of school children, even as the pandemic situation might stabilize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mascha Kern
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P. Mockenhaupt
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Toivo Glatz
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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6
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Do B, Kirkland C, Besenyi GM, Carissa Smock M, Lanza K. Youth physical activity and the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Prev Med Rep 2022; 29:101959. [PMID: 36034528 PMCID: PMC9394097 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies examined youth physical activity (PA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall decreases in youth PA were seen during the first 1.5 years of the pandemic. There were differences in PA by sub-populations (e.g., age, sex/gender) There were also differences in PA by location/type (e.g., outdoor, play) Programming and policy should focus on evolving PA promotion for youth.
The purpose of the systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize evidence from available published literature examining the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on youth physical activity (PA). A systematic review of the literature was conducted for years 2020–2021. Published articles were searched in eight databases. Inclusion criteria included: availability of full-text, written in English language, and reported quantitative or qualitative results of original or secondary data on PA and COVID-19 related factors among youth (ages 5–17 years). A standard quality assessment tool assessed risk of bias and quality of included articles. The search retrieved 2,899 articles with 51 articles ultimately meeting inclusion criteria. The majority of articles (65 %) investigated change in PA from before to during the pandemic. Most evidence indicated an overall decrease in youth PA levels during the pandemic with differences observed among sub-populations (e.g., age, sex or gender), type, and location. Findings suggest pandemic-related closures hindered PA participation due to a high reliance on school- and sport-based PA. Programmatic strategies (e.g., activity breaks, active curriculum, free online activities/lessons) should include aligning intervention measures and geared towards evolving and ongoing PA promotion based on the latest findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette Do
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
| | - Chelsey Kirkland
- Center for Public Health Systems, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,College of Public Health, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, USA
| | - Gina M Besenyi
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Mph Carissa Smock
- School of Business, Northcentral University, San Diego, CA 92123, USA
| | - Kevin Lanza
- School of Public Health in Austin, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Austin, TX 78701, USA
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7
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Lorthe E, Bellon M, Michielin G, Berthelot J, Zaballa ME, Pennacchio F, Bekliz M, Laubscher F, Arefi F, Perez-Saez J, Azman AS, L’Huillier AG, Posfay-Barbe KM, Kaiser L, Guessous I, Maerkl SJ, Eckerle I, Stringhini S. Epidemiological, virological and serological investigation of a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (Alpha variant) in a primary school: A prospective longitudinal study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272663. [PMID: 35976947 PMCID: PMC9385020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To report a prospective epidemiological, virological and serological investigation of a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a primary school. Methods As part of a longitudinal, prospective, school-based surveillance study, this investigation involved repeated testing of 73 pupils, 9 teachers, 13 non-teaching staff and 26 household members of participants who tested positive, with rapid antigen tests and/or RT-PCR (Day 0–2 and Day 5–7), serologies on dried capillary blood samples (Day 0–2 and Day 30), contact tracing interviews and SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing. Results We identified 20 children (aged 4 to 6 years from 4 school classes), 2 teachers and a total of 4 household members who were infected by the Alpha variant during this outbreak. Infection attack rates were between 11.8 and 62.0% among pupils from the 4 school classes, 22.2% among teachers and 0% among non-teaching staff. Secondary attack rate among household members was 15.4%. Symptoms were reported by 63% of infected children, 100% of teachers and 50% of household members. All analysed sequences but one showed 100% identity. Serological tests detected 8 seroconversions unidentified by SARS-CoV-2 virological tests. Conclusions This study confirmed child-to-child and child-to-adult SARS-CoV-2 transmission and introduction into households. Effective measures to limit transmission in schools have the potential to reduce the overall community circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Lorthe
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Mathilde Bellon
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Michielin
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julie Berthelot
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Meriem Bekliz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florian Laubscher
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fatemeh Arefi
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Javier Perez-Saez
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew S. Azman
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Arnaud G. L’Huillier
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Klara M. Posfay-Barbe
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Pediatric Infectious Disease Unit, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Center for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Division of Primary Care, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian J. Maerkl
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Eckerle
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Center for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Theuring S, van Loon W, Hommes F, Bethke N, Mall MA, Kurth T, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP. Psychosocial Wellbeing of Schoolchildren during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Berlin, Germany, June 2020 to March 2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191610103. [PMID: 36011738 PMCID: PMC9407732 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have affected the wellbeing of schoolchildren worldwide, but the extent and duration of specific problems are still not completely understood. We aimed to describe students’ psychosocial and behavioral parameters and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany. Our longitudinal study included 384 students from 24 randomly selected Berlin primary and secondary schools, assessing psychosocial wellbeing at four time points between June 2020 and March 2021. We analyzed temporal changes in the proportions of anxiety, fear of infection, reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity and social contacts, as well as sociodemographic and economic factors associated with anxiety, fear of infection and HRQoL. During the observation period, the presence of anxiety symptoms increased from 26.2% (96/367) to 34.6% (62/179), and fear of infection from 28.6% (108/377) to 40.6% (73/180). The proportion of children with limited social contacts (<1/week) increased from 16.4% (61/373) to 23.5% (42/179). Low physical activity (<3 times sports/week) was consistent over time. Low HRQoL was observed among 44% (77/174) of children. Factors associated with anxiety were female sex, increasing age, secondary school attendance, lower household income, and the presence of adults with anxiety symptoms in the student´s household. Fear of infection and low HRQoL were associated with anxiety. A substantial proportion of schoolchildren experienced unfavorable psychosocial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021. Students from households with limited social and financial resilience require special attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-450-565767
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P. Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Leone V, Meisinger C, Temizel S, Kling E, Gerstlauer M, Frühwald MC, Burkhardt K. Longitudinal change in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in 3-to 16-year-old children: The Augsburg Plus study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272874. [PMID: 35951611 PMCID: PMC9371315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Currently, more than 30,200,000 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed in Germany alone. However, data regarding prevalence of COVID-19 in children, both in Germany and internationally, are sparse. We sought to evaluate the number of infected children by measuring IgG antibodies.
Methods
Oropharyngeal swabs were collected between December 2020 and August 2021 to measure SARS-CoV-2, and capillary blood for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (by rapid test NADAL® and filter paper test Euroimmun® ELISA); venous blood was taken for validation (Roche® ECLIA and recomLine Blot) in 365 German children aged 3–16 years from 30 schools and preschools. We used multiple serological tests because the filter paper test Euroimmun® ELISA performs better in terms of sensitivity and specificity than the rapid test NADAL®. The Roche® ECLIA test is used to detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and the recomLine Blot test is used to rule out the possibility of infection by seasonal SARS-viruses and to test for specific SARS-CoV-2 proteins (NP, RBD and S1). In addition, one parent each (n = 336), and 4–5 teachers/caregivers (n = 90) per institution were tested for IgG antibodies from capillary blood samples. The total study duration was 4 months per child, including the first follow-up after 2 months and the second after 4 months.
Results
Of 364 children tested at baseline, 3.6% (n = 13) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using Euroimmun® ELISA. Seven children reported previously testing positive for SARS-CoV-2; each of these was confirmed by the Roche® Anti-SARS-CoV-2-ECLIA (antibody to spike protein 1) test. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies persisted over a 4-month period, but levels decreased significantly (p = 0.004) within this timeframe. The median IgG values were 192.0 BAU/ml [127.2; 288.2], 123.6 BAU/ml [76.6; 187.7] and 89.9 BAU/ml [57.4; 144.2] at baseline, 2 months and 4 months after baseline, respectively. During the study period, no child tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by oropharyngeal swab. A total of 4.3% of all parents and 3.7% of teachers/caregivers tested positive for IgG antibodies by Euroimmun® ELISA at baseline.
Conclusion
We noted a rather low seroprevalence in children despite an under-reporting of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Measurement of IgG antibodies derived from capillary blood appears to be a valid tool to detect asymptomatic infections in children. However, no asymptomatic active infection was detected during the study period of 4 months in the whole cohort. Further data on SARS-CoV-2 infections in children are needed, especially in the group of <5-year-olds, as there is currently no licensed vaccine for this age group in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute’s Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) recommended COVID-19 vaccination for 12–17 and 5–11 year olds in August 2021 and May 2022 respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza Leone
- Chair of Epidemiology, University of Augsburg, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Christa Meisinger
- Chair of Epidemiology, University of Augsburg, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Selin Temizel
- Department of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kling
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerstlauer
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Michael C. Frühwald
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Burkhardt
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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10
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SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in the School Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095384. [PMID: 35564779 PMCID: PMC9099553 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of children to viral spread in schools is still debated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to investigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the school setting. Literature searches on 15 May 2021 yielded a total of 1088 publications, including screening, contact tracing, and seroprevalence studies. MOOSE guidelines were followed, and data were analyzed using random-effects models. From screening studies involving more than 120,000 subjects, we estimated 0.31% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–0.81) SARS-CoV-2 point prevalence in schools. Contact tracing studies, involving a total of 112,622 contacts of children and adults, showed that onward viral transmission was limited (2.54%, 95% CI 0.76–5.31). Young index cases were found to be 74% significantly less likely than adults to favor viral spread (odds ratio (OR) 0.26, 95% CI 0.11–0.63) and less susceptible to infection (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.25–1.47). Lastly, from seroprevalence studies, with a total of 17,879 subjects involved, we estimated that children were 43% significantly less likely than adults to test positive for antibodies (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.49–0.68). These findings may not applied to the Omicron phase, we further planned a randomized controlled trial to verify these results.
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11
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Paulsen M, Zychlinsky Scharff A, de Cassan K, Sugianto RI, Blume C, Blume H, Christmann M, Hauß C, Illig T, Jonczyk R, Klopp N, Kopfnagel V, Lichtinghagen R, Lucas H, Luhr A, Mutschler F, Pietschmann T, Pott PC, Prokein J, Schaefer P, Stahl F, Stanislawski N, von der Born J, Schmidt BM, Heiden S, Stiesch M, Memaran N, Melk A. Children and Adolescents' Behavioral Patterns in Response to Escalating COVID-19 Restriction Reveal Sex and Age Differences. J Adolesc Health 2022; 70:378-386. [PMID: 34972613 PMCID: PMC8610846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic affects students in a myriad of different ways. Our prospective, longitudinal study in a cohort of students in Hannover, Germany explores behavioral patterns during escalating COVID-19 restrictions. METHODS In total, 777 students between the age of 9 and 20 were assessed for their activity engagement, travel patterns, and self-assessed compliance with protective recommendations at six time points between June 2020 and June 2021 (3,564 observations) and were monitored for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection by nasal swab polymerase chain reaction and serum antibody titers. RESULTS Activity engagement decreased, but self-assessed compliance with measures such as mask wearing and social distancing was stable during escalating restrictions. Although we found no sex difference during the summer break, when incidence was lowest, females engaged in a higher variety of activities than males for all other time points. Older students engaged in more activities and self-assigned themselves lower compliance values than younger ones. Greater involvement in different activities was seen in households which traveled more frequently. Infection rate in our cohort was low (0.03% acute infections, 1.94% positive seroprevalence). DISCUSSION Our study supports the view that, overall, students show high compliance with COVID-19 recommendations and restrictions. The identification of subsets, such as female and older students, with higher risk behavioral patterns should be considered when implementing public information campaigns. In light of the low infection rate in our cohort, we conclude that in-person learning can occur safely if extensive protective measures are in place and the incidence in the general population remains moderate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Paulsen
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Zychlinsky Scharff
- Common Trunk Residency Program, Children's Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kristof de Cassan
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rizky Indrameikha Sugianto
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cornelia Blume
- Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Germany
| | - Holger Blume
- Institute of Microelectronic Systems, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Christmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Illig
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rebecca Jonczyk
- Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Germany
| | - Norman Klopp
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Kopfnagel
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Lichtinghagen
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Henning Lucas
- Institute of Innovation Research, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke Luhr
- Eye Center Kantplatz, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frauke Mutschler
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Philipp-Cornelius Pott
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Prokein
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paula Schaefer
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Stahl
- Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Germany
| | - Nils Stanislawski
- Institute of Microelectronic Systems, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeannine von der Born
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bernhard M.W. Schmidt
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heiden
- Institute of Innovation Research, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Meike Stiesch
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nima Memaran
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anette Melk
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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12
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Viner R, Waddington C, Mytton O, Booy R, Cruz J, Ward J, Ladhani S, Panovska-Griffiths J, Bonell C, Melendez-Torres GJ. Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by children and young people in households and schools: a meta-analysis of population-based and contact-tracing studies. J Infect 2021; 84:361-382. [PMID: 34953911 PMCID: PMC8694793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background The role of children and young people (CYP) in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in household and educational settings remains unclear. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of contact-tracing and population-based studies at low risk of bias. Methods We searched 4 electronic databases on 28 July 2021 for contact-tracing studies and population-based studies informative about transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from 0-19 year olds in household or educational settings. We excluded studies at high risk of bias, including from under-ascertainment of asymptomatic infections. We undertook multilevel random effects meta-analyses of secondary attack rates (SAR: contact-tracing studies) and school infection prevalence, and used meta-regression to examine the impact of community SARS-CoV-2 incidence on school infection prevalence. Findings 4529 abstracts were reviewed, resulting in 37 included studies (16 contact-tracing; 19 population studies; 2 mixed studies). The pooled relative transmissibility of CYP compared with adults was 0.92 (0.68, 1.26) in adjusted household studies. The pooled SAR from CYP was lower (p=0.002) in school studies 0.7% (0.2, 2.7) than household studies (7.6% (3.6, 15.9) . There was no difference in SAR from CYP to child or adult contacts. School population studies showed some evidence of clustering in classes within schools. School infection prevalence was associated with contemporary community 14-day incidence (OR 1.003 (1.001, 1.004), p<0.001). Interpretation We found no difference in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from CYP compared with adults within household settings. SAR were markedly lower in school compared with household settings, suggesting that household transmission is more important than school transmission in this pandemic. School infection prevalence was associated with community infection incidence, supporting hypotheses that school infections broadly reflect community infections. These findings are important for guiding policy decisions on shielding, vaccination school and operations during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Viner
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond St. Institute of Child Health, London.
| | | | | | | | - Joana Cruz
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond St. Institute of Child Health, London
| | - Joseph Ward
- Population, Policy and Practice, UCL Great Ormond St. Institute of Child Health, London
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13
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Halliday KE, Nguipdop-Djomo P, Oswald WE, Sturgess J, Allen E, Sundaram N, Ireland G, Poh J, Ijaz S, Shute J, Diamond I, Rourke E, Dawe F, Judd A, Clark T, Edmunds WJ, Bonell C, Mangtani P, Ladhani SN, Langan SM, Hargreaves J. The COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey in England: Protocol and participation profile for a prospective, observational cohort study (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 11:e34075. [PMID: 35635843 PMCID: PMC9651002 DOI: 10.2196/34075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most debated questions in the COVID-19 pandemic has been the role of schools in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The COVID-19 Schools Infection Survey (SIS) aims to provide much-needed evidence addressing this issue. Objective We present the study protocol and participation profile for the SIS study, aimed at assessing the role of schools in SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission within school settings, and investigating how transmission within and from schools could be mitigated through the implementation of school COVID-19 control measures. Methods SIS was a multisite, prospective, observational cohort study conducted in a stratified random sample of primary and secondary schools in selected local authorities in England. A total of 6 biobehavioral surveys were planned among participating students and staff during the 2020-2021 academic year, between November 2020 and July 2021. Key measurements were SARS-CoV-2 virus prevalence, assessed by nasal swab polymerase chain reaction; anti-SARS-CoV-2 (nucleocapsid protein) antibody prevalence and conversion, assessed in finger-prick blood for staff and oral fluid for students; student and staff school attendance rates; feasibility and acceptability of school-level implementation of SARS-CoV-2 control measures; and investigation of selected school outbreaks. The study was approved by the United Kingdom Health Security Agency Research Support and Governance Office (NR0237) and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Ethics Review Committee (reference 22657). Results Data collection and laboratory analyses were completed by September 2021. A total of 22,585 individuals—1891 staff and 4654 students from 59 primary schools and 5852 staff and 10,188 students from 97 secondary schools—participated in at least one survey. Across all survey rounds, staff and student participation rates were 45.2% and 16.4%, respectively, in primary schools and 30% and 15.2%, respectively, in secondary schools. Although primary student participation increased over time, and secondary student participation remained reasonably consistent, staff participation declined across rounds, especially for secondary school staff (3165/7583, 41.7% in round 1 and 2290/10,374, 22.1% in round 6). Although staff participation overall was generally reflective of the eligible staff population, student participation was higher in schools with low absenteeism, a lower proportion of students eligible for free school meals, and from schools in the least deprived locations (in primary schools, 446/4654, 9.6% of participating students were from schools in the least deprived quintile compared with 1262/22,225, 5.7% of eligible students). Conclusions We outline the study design, methods, and participation, and reflect on the strengths of the SIS study as well as the practical challenges encountered and the strategies implemented to address these challenges. The SIS study, by measuring current and incident infection over time, alongside the implementation of control measures in schools across a range of settings in England, aims to inform national guidance and public health policy for educational settings. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR1-10.2196/34075
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Halliday
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Nguipdop-Djomo
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - William E Oswald
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Sturgess
- Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neisha Sundaram
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - John Poh
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Samreen Ijaz
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Shute
- UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Diamond
- Office for National Statistics, Government Buildings, Newport, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Rourke
- Office for National Statistics, Government Buildings, Newport, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Dawe
- Office for National Statistics, Government Buildings, Newport, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Judd
- Office for National Statistics, Government Buildings, Newport, United Kingdom
| | - Taane Clark
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - W John Edmunds
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Bonell
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Punam Mangtani
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sinéad M Langan
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Hargreaves
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Thamm R, Buttmann-Schweiger N, Fiebig J, Poethko-Müller C, Prütz F, Sarganas G, Neuhauser H. [Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among children and adolescents in Germany-an overview]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2021; 64:1483-1491. [PMID: 34731291 PMCID: PMC8563819 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03448-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Hintergrund SARS-CoV-2-Antikörperstudien ergänzen und erweitern die Erkenntnisse aus der Meldestatistik laborbestätigter COVID-19-Fälle um Informationen zu unentdeckten Fällen. Ziel der Arbeit Der vorliegende Beitrag fasst bisherige Ergebnisse zur SARS-CoV-2-Prävalenz aus seroepidemiologischen Studien in Deutschland zusammen, die sich auf Kinder und Jugendliche konzentrieren, und ergänzt die bereits vorliegende Übersicht zur Seroprävalenz bei Erwachsenen und speziell bei Blutspendenden in Deutschland. Material und Methoden Die Ergebnisse der Übersichtsarbeit beruhen auf einer fortlaufenden systematischen Recherche in Studienregistern, Literaturdatenbanken, von Preprint-Veröffentlichungen und Medienberichten seroepidemiologischer Studien in Deutschland sowie deren Ergebnissen. Ergebnisse Mit Stand 17.09.2021 sind uns 16 deutsche seroepidemiologische Studien, die sich auf Kinder und Jugendliche konzentrieren, bekannt geworden. Für 9 dieser Studien liegen Ergebnisse vor. Für fast alle untersuchten Settings lag die SARS-CoV-2-Seroprävalenz für Kinder im Kita- und Grundschulalter in der ersten COVID-19-Welle deutlich unter 1 % und für Jugendliche unter 2 %. Im Verlauf der Pandemie wurden höhere Seroprävalenzen von bis zu 8 % für Kinder im Grundschulalter ermittelt. Diskussion Ergebnisse von SARS-CoV-2-Antikörperstudien bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland liegen bislang erst in geringem Umfang und basierend auf lokal-regionalen, nichtrepräsentativen Stichproben vor. In künftigen Studien gilt es, einerseits abzuschätzen, welcher Anteil der Kinder und Jugendlichen bereits eine Infektion hatte oder geimpft ist. Zum anderen gilt es, die Verbreitung körperlicher und psychischer Beeinträchtigungen im Nachgang einer Infektion zu untersuchen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roma Thamm
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland.
| | - Nina Buttmann-Schweiger
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Julia Fiebig
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Christina Poethko-Müller
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Franziska Prütz
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Giselle Sarganas
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Hannelore Neuhauser
- Abteilung Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsmonitoring, Robert Koch-Institut, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Deutschland
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15
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Weinert S, Thronicke A, Hinse M, Schad F, Matthes H. School Teachers' Self-Reported Fear and Risk Perception during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Nationwide Survey in Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9218. [PMID: 34501807 PMCID: PMC8430488 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases peaking and health systems reaching their limits in winter 2020/21, schools remained closed in many countries. To better understand teachers' risk perception, we conducted a survey in Germany. Participants were recruited through various associations and invited to take part in a cross-sectional COVID-19-specific online survey. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Factors associated with teachers' fears of contracting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were evaluated with an adjusted multivariable regression analysis. The median age of the 6753 participating teachers was 43 years, and 77% were female. Most teachers worked in high schools (29%) and elementary schools (26%). The majority of participants (73%) feared contracting SARS-CoV-2 at school, while 77% intended to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Ninety-eight percent considered students to pose the greatest risk. Female and younger teachers were significantly more anxious to get infected and teachers who opposed the re-opening of schools had significantly higher odds of being more anxious (p < 0.001). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to describe teachers' risk perception of COVID-19 and their attitudes towards vaccinations in a nationwide survey. The anxiety correlates with the COVID-19 protection measures demanded and appears to be a driving factor rather than rational logic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Weinert
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; (A.T.); (M.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Anja Thronicke
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; (A.T.); (M.H.); (H.M.)
- Research Institute Havelhöhe (FIH), Department Network Oncology, Kladower Damm 221, Berlin, Germany;
| | - Maximilian Hinse
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; (A.T.); (M.H.); (H.M.)
| | - Friedemann Schad
- Research Institute Havelhöhe (FIH), Department Network Oncology, Kladower Damm 221, Berlin, Germany;
- Interdisciplinary Oncology and Palliative Care, Hospital Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harald Matthes
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; (A.T.); (M.H.); (H.M.)
- Research Institute Havelhöhe (FIH), Department Network Oncology, Kladower Damm 221, Berlin, Germany;
- Medical Clinic for Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology CBF, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Theuring S, Thielecke M, van Loon W, Hommes F, Hülso C, von der Haar A, Körner J, Schmidt M, Böhringer F, Mall MA, Rosen A, von Kalle C, Kirchberger V, Kurth T, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP. SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in school settings during the second COVID-19 wave: a cross-sectional study, Berlin, Germany, November 2020. Euro Surveill 2021; 26. [PMID: 34448448 PMCID: PMC8393892 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.34.2100184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSchool attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic is intensely debated.AimIn November 2020, we assessed SARS-CoV-2 infections and seroreactivity in 24 randomly selected school classes and connected households in Berlin, Germany.MethodsWe collected oro-nasopharyngeal swabs and blood samples, examining SARS-CoV-2 infection and IgG antibodies by RT-PCR and ELISA. Household members self-swabbed. We assessed individual and institutional prevention measures. Classes with SARS-CoV-2 infection and connected households were retested after 1 week.ResultsWe examined 1,119 participants, including 177 primary and 175 secondary school students, 142 staff and 625 household members. SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in eight classes, affecting each 1-2 individuals. Infection prevalence was 2.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-5.0; 9/338), 1.4% (95% CI: 0.2-5.1; 2/140), and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.3-3.8; 14/611) among students, staff and household members. Six of nine infected students were asymptomatic at testing. We detected IgG antibodies in 2.0% (95%CI: 0.8-4.1; 7/347), 1.4% (95% CI: 0.2-5.0; 2/141) and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.6-2.7; 8/576). Prevalence increased with inconsistent facemask-use in school, walking to school, and case-contacts outside school. For three of nine households with infection(s), origin in school seemed possible. After 1 week, no school-related secondary infections appeared in affected classes; the attack rate in connected households was 1.1%.ConclusionSchool attendance under rigorously implemented preventive measures seems reasonable. Balancing risks and benefits of school closures need to consider possible spill-over infection into households. Deeper insight is required into the infection risks due to being a schoolchild vs attending school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marlene Thielecke
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Hülso
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annkathrin von der Haar
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Körner
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schmidt
- German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Falko Böhringer
- Labor Berlin - Charité Vivantes Services GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A Mall
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Rosen
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof von Kalle
- Clinical Study Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valerie Kirchberger
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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