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The COVID-19 Sentinel Schools Network of Catalonia (CSSNC) project: Associated factors to prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in educational settings during the 2020–2021 academic year

Author

Listed:
  • Fabiana Ganem
  • Anna Bordas
  • Cinta Folch
  • Lucia Alonso
  • Marcos Montoro-Fernandez
  • Andreu Colom-Cadena
  • Ariadna Mas
  • Jacobo Mendioroz
  • Laia Asso
  • Andres Anton
  • Tomàs Pumarola
  • Maria Victoria González
  • Ignacio Blanco
  • Pere Soler-Palacín
  • Antoni Soriano-Arandes
  • Jordi Casabona
  • on behalf of Sentinel School Network Study Group of Catalonia

Abstract

The Sentinel Schools project was designed to monitor and evaluate the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Catalonia, gathering evidence for health and education policies to inform the development of health protocols and public health interventions to control of SARS-CoV-2 infection in schools. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and to identify their determinants among students and staff during February to June in the academic year 2020–2021. We performed two complementary studies, a cross-sectional and a longitudinal component, using a questionnaire to collect nominal data and testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We describe the results and perform a univariate and multivariate analysis. The initial crude seroprevalence was 14.8% (95% CI: 13.1–16.5) and 22% (95% CI: 18.3–25.8) for students and staff respectively, and the active infection prevalence was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3–1) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.1–2). The overall incidence for persons at risk was 2.73 per 100 person-month and 2.89 and 2.34 per 100 person-month for students and staff, respectively. Socioeconomic, self-reported knowledge, risk perceptions and contact pattern variables were positively associated with the outcome while sanitary measure compliance was negatively associated, the same significance trend was observed in multivariate analysis. In the longitudinal component, epidemiological close contact with SARS-CoV-2 infection was a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection while the highest socioeconomic status level was protective as was compliance with sanitary measures. The small number of active cases detected in these schools suggests a low transmission among children in school and the efficacy of public health measures implemented, at least in the epidemiological scenario of the study period. The major contribution of this study was to provide results and evidence that help analyze the transmission dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate the associations between sanitary protocols implemented, and measures to avoid SARS-CoV-2 spread in schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabiana Ganem & Anna Bordas & Cinta Folch & Lucia Alonso & Marcos Montoro-Fernandez & Andreu Colom-Cadena & Ariadna Mas & Jacobo Mendioroz & Laia Asso & Andres Anton & Tomàs Pumarola & Maria Victoria , 2022. "The COVID-19 Sentinel Schools Network of Catalonia (CSSNC) project: Associated factors to prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in educational settings during the 2020–2021 academic year," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(11), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0277764
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277764
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppina Lo Moro & Tiziana Sinigaglia & Fabrizio Bert & Armando Savatteri & Maria Rosaria Gualano & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Reopening Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Overview and Rapid Systematic Review of Guidelines and Recommendations on Preventive Measures and the Management of Cases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Marc Marí-Dell’Olmo & Mercè Gotsens & M Isabel Pasarín & Maica Rodríguez-Sanz & Lucía Artazcoz & Patricia Garcia de Olalla & Cristina Rius & Carme Borrell, 2021. "Socioeconomic Inequalities in COVID-19 in a European Urban Area: Two Waves, Two Patterns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
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