Behavioral factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Understanding the association between behavioral factors and SARS-CoV-2 infection rates is crucial for effective public health interventions.
• During periods of increasing case numbers and moderate restrictions, identifying specific risk behaviors is essential for controlling viral spread.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between various behavioral factors and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To identify specific activities and precautions associated with a higher or lower risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• A case-control web-based questionnaire study was conducted in the Capital Region of Denmark in December 2020.
• 8,913 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases were compared with over 59,000 controls (negative and untested), matched for key demographic and temporal factors.
• Data collected focused on activities and precautions taken in the 14 days prior to testing or during the pandemic.

Main Results:

• Activities like using public transportation, grocery shopping, and outdoor sports were not linked to increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates when precautions were observed.
• Implementing precautions such as hand sanitizer use, physical distancing, and avoiding handshakes correlated with lower infection rates.
• Activities involving close indoor contact and most occupations (excluding working from home) were associated with a higher risk of infection.

Conclusions:

• In a setting with moderate restrictions, routine activities like public transport use and grocery shopping, when accompanied by precautions, did not elevate SARS-CoV-2 infection risk.
• Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection are likely associated with exposures and activities where safety measures are challenging to implement.
• Findings can inform public health authorities in developing targeted strategies to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission.