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Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Police Officers in Poland—Implications for Public Health Policies

Author

Listed:
  • Filip Raciborski

    (Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Mateusz Jankowski

    (School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-826 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Mariusz Gujski

    (Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Jarosław Pinkas

    (School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-826 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Piotr Samel-Kowalik

    (Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Artur Zaczyński

    (Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Igor Pańkowski

    (Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Kamil Rakocy

    (KR Consulting, 00-001 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Waldemar Wierzba

    (Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
    UHE Satellite Campus in Warsaw, University of Humanities and Economics in Łódź, 01-513 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to characterize sources of knowledge on the means of prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as to assess the methods of preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among police employees in Poland and their potential impact on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: The study consisted of two phases: questionnaire and laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The questionnaire included 30 questions related to risk factors, knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, and methods of infection prevention. Results: Data were obtained from 5082 police employees. The most common source of knowledge for a daily update on SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention was the Internet (42.6%), television (40.3%), and radio (39.7%). The most commonly used methods of SARS-CoV-2 infection included washing one’s hands for at least 20 s (95.8%), wearing facemasks (82.9%), and physical distancing (74.9%). Results of IgG tests were lower in police units where the overall compliance with the preventive measures was higher ( p < 0.01). Women were more likely to exercise SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention behaviors compared to men. Compliance with the recommended protective measures increased with age. Conclusions: Lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity rates were observed in police units with better overall compliance with the preventive measures, suggesting the key importance of group rather than individual behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Filip Raciborski & Mateusz Jankowski & Mariusz Gujski & Jarosław Pinkas & Piotr Samel-Kowalik & Artur Zaczyński & Igor Pańkowski & Kamil Rakocy & Waldemar Wierzba, 2020. "Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Police Officers in Poland—Implications for Public Health Policies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:9072-:d:457064
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dominika Guzek & Dominika Skolmowska & Dominika Głąbska, 2020. "Analysis of Gender-Dependent Personal Protective Behaviors in a National Sample: Polish Adolescents’ COVID-19 Experience (PLACE-19) Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Robert West & Susan Michie & G. James Rubin & Richard Amlôt, 2020. "Applying principles of behaviour change to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 451-459, May.
    3. Antonio Scarano & Francesco Inchingolo & Felice Lorusso, 2020. "Facial Skin Temperature and Discomfort When Wearing Protective Face Masks: Thermal Infrared Imaging Evaluation and Hands Moving the Mask," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-9, June.
    4. Dimitrios Papagiannis & Foteini Malli & Dimitrios G. Raptis & Ioanna V. Papathanasiou & Evangelos C. Fradelos & Zoe Daniil & Georgios Rachiotis & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, 2020. "Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards New Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) of Health Care Professionals in Greece before the Outbreak Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-14, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Viktor Soltes & Jozef Kubas & Andrej Velas & David Michalík, 2021. "Occupational Safety of Municipal Police Officers: Assessing the Vulnerability and Riskiness of Police Officers’ Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-19, May.

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