This study identified multiple behavioral factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, many of which were in line with the policy/risk communication implemented in Japan. Rapid assessment of risk factors can inform decision-making.

Author

Takeshi Arashiro (email: arashirot@niid.go.jp), Yuzo Arima, Hirokazu Muraoka, Akihiro Sato, Kunihiro Oba, Yuki Uehara, Hiroko Arioka, Hideki Yanai, Naoki Yanagisawa, Yoshito Nagura, Yasuyuki Kato, Hideaki Kato, Akihiro Ueda, Koji Ishii, Takao Ooki, Hideaki Oka, Yusuke Nishida, Ashley Stucky, Reiko Miyahara, Chris Smith, Martin Hibberd, Koya Ariyoshi and Motoi Suzuki

Citation

Arashiro T, Arima Y, Muraoka H, Sato A, Oba K, Uehara Y, Arioka H, Yanai H, Yanagisawa N, Nagura Y, Kato Y, Kato H, Ueda A, Ishii K, Ooki T, Oka H, Nishida Y, Stucky A, Miyahara R, Smith C, Hibberd M, Ariyoshi K, Suzuki M. Behavioral factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Japan. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2022 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/irv.12992.

Source
Influenza and Other Resipratory Viruses
Release date
26/04/2022

Behavioral Factors Associated With Sars-Cov-2 Infection in Japan

Abstract

Background

The relative burden of COVID-19 has been less severe in Japan. One reason for this may be the uniquely strict restrictions imposed upon bars/restaurants. To assess if this approach was appropriately targeting high-risk individuals, this study examined behavioral factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community.

Methods

This multicenter case-control study involved individuals receiving SARS-CoV-2 testing in June-August 2021. Behavioral exposures in the past 2 weeks were collected via questionnaire. SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive individuals were cases, while PCR-negative individuals were controls.

Results

The analysis included 778 individuals (266 [34.2%] positives; median age [interquartile range] 33 [27-43] years). Attending three or more social gatherings was associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.00 [95% CI 1.31-3.05]). Attending gatherings with alcohol (aOR 2.29 [1.53-3.42]), at bars/restaurants (aOR 1.55 [1.04-2.30]), outdoors/at parks (aOR 2.87 [1.01-8.13]), at night (aOR 2.07 [1.40-3.04]), five or more people (aOR 1.81 [1.00-3.30]), 2 hours or longer (aOR 1.76 [1.14-2.71]), not wearing a mask during gatherings (aOR 4.18 [2.29-7.64]), and cloth mask use (aOR 1.77 [1.11-2.83]) were associated with infection. Going to karaoke (aOR 2.53 [1.25-5.09]) and to a gym (aOR 1.87 [1.11-3.16]) were also associated with infection. Factors not associated with infection included visiting a cafe with others, ordering takeout, using food delivery services, eating out by oneself, and work/school/travel-related exposures including teleworking.

Conclusions

This study identified multiple behavioral factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, many of which were in line with the policy/risk communication implemented in Japan. Rapid assessment of risk factors can inform decision-making.

Source Website: Wiley Online Library