Investigating household transmission of SARS-CoV-2: an analysis of 1453 households
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1
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Türkiye
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Mardin Provincial Health Directorate, Turkey
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Department of Public Health, Dokuz Eylül University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
Publication date: 2023-04-27
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A379
ABSTRACT
Background & Objective: Household transmission is the dominant way of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Implementing strict protective measures is difficult to apply within households. In this study, we aimed to investigate individual and household-level factors contributing to SARS-CoV-2 transmission among household members.
Methods: A total of 1453 households belonging SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-positive people who applied to Dokuz Eylul University Hospital in Izmir, Turkey between November 1st and 30th, 2020 were included in the study. Individual and household-level data were collected via telephone calls. Multilevel logistic regression models were conducted with individual and household-level variables to predict SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The transmission was considered as being SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive or having symptomatic illness for the people who were epidemiologically linked to the confirmed case.
Results: Among the 5228 people coming from 1453 households, 3194 people were symptomatic (61.1%). The null model revealed there is a significant variation among households (Variance partition coefficient-VPC: 21%). According to the full model which included individual and household-level variables and had adjustment for household size and population (VPC: 20%); significant individual variables were being over age 65 (odds ratio-OR, 95% confidence interval-CI: 7.85, 5.38-11.45), having a chronic disease (OR, 95%CI: 1.60, 1.31-1.96) and being a nuclear family member (OR, 95%CI: 3.30, 2.71-4.1). For household-level variables, having a housekeeper in the household (OR, 95%CI: 2.44, 1.00-5.96), never wearing a mask (OR, 95%CI: 1.60, 1.15-2.23), eating at the same table ( OR, 95%CI: 1.92, 1.42-2.60) and traveling in the same car (OR, 95%CI: 1.58, 1.17-2.13) were significant. Gender, natural ventilation, type of building and being isolated in a separate room were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: The results of the study may represent a useful contribution to understanding the household transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In line with the study results, mitigation strategies in the future could be planned for the household transmission of SARS-CoV-2-like respiratory viruses.