SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Risk Perception, Behaviour and Preventive Measures at Schools in Berlin, Germany, during the Early Post-Lockdown Phase: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Abstract
Briefly before the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany, schools closed in mid-March 2020. Following re-opening, schools resumed operation at a reduced level for nine weeks. During this phase, we aimed at assessing, among students and teachers, infection status, symptoms, individual behaviour, and institutional infection prevention measures. Twenty-four primary and secondary school classes, randomly selected across Berlin, were examined. Oro-nasopharyngeal swabs and capillary blood samples were collected to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR) and specific IgG (ELISA), respectively. Medical history, household characteristics, leisure activities, fear of infection, risk perception, hand hygiene, facemask wearing, and institutional preventive measures were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed. Among 535 participants (385 students, 150 staff), one teenager was found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 (0.2%), and seven individuals exhibited specific IgG (1.3%). Compared to pre-pandemic times, screen time (e.g., TV, gaming, social media) increased, and the majority of primary school students reported reduced physical activity (42.2%). Fear of infection and risk perception were relatively low, acceptance of adapted health behaviors was high. In this post-lockdown period of low SARS-CoV-2 incidence in Berlin, individual and school-level infection prevention measures were largely adhered to. Nevertheless, vigilance and continued preventive measures are essential to cope with future pandemic activity.
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SciScore for 10.1101/2020.12.18.20248398: (What is this?)
Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.
Table 1: Rigor
Institutional Review Board Statement Consent: Written study information was provided to potential participants at least one week prior to the school visit to obtain written consent from parents or legal guardians, and study staff was available for questions via telephone.
IRB: Ethical statement: This study was reviewed and approved by the ethics committee of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (EA2/091/20) and informed written consent and assent was obtained from all participants and their legal guardians in the case of minors.Randomization not detected. Blinding not detected. Power Analysis not detected. Sex as a biological variable not detected. Table 2: Resources
Software and Algorithms Sentences Resources SciScore for 10.1101/2020.12.18.20248398: (What is this?)
Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.
Table 1: Rigor
Institutional Review Board Statement Consent: Written study information was provided to potential participants at least one week prior to the school visit to obtain written consent from parents or legal guardians, and study staff was available for questions via telephone.
IRB: Ethical statement: This study was reviewed and approved by the ethics committee of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (EA2/091/20) and informed written consent and assent was obtained from all participants and their legal guardians in the case of minors.Randomization not detected. Blinding not detected. Power Analysis not detected. Sex as a biological variable not detected. Table 2: Resources
Software and Algorithms Sentences Resources Data processing and statistical analysis: All data collection was done in a pseudonymised manner on paper forms, subsequently digitalised and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin [24]. REDCapsuggested: (REDCap, RRID:SCR_003445)Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).
Results from LimitationRecognizer: We detected the following sentences addressing limitations in the study:Our study has several limitations. Sample size and study period pose limitations to the generalizability of our data. Voluntary participation of both, institutions and school members and low participation rates in some facilities may have caused a selection bias. Determinants of infection could not be assessed due to the detection of a single case only. On the other hand, sample collection among children and adolescents was unproblematic as reflected by the high proportion of available specimens. Our findings suggest that educational settings and their players are largely able to adapt to IPC measures and to changing conditions. Increased screen time as well as reduced social contacts and, partially, physical activity point to the non-infectious dangers adaptations to the pandemic bring along. Needs and situational requirements of students and teachers are to be met, including such linked to fear and behaviour. This forms the prerequisites for the comprehension of and adherence to IPC measures, which in turn determine school functioning. Ongoing follow-up examinations will show whether this can be achieved. In the meantime, regular screening of students and teachers for SARS-CoV-2 in the school setting may help to reduce both infections and uncertainties, thereby ensuring the right to education.
Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.
Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.
Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.
Results from rtransparent:- Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
- Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
- No protocol registration statement was detected.
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