Individual and household risk factors for COVID-19 infection among household members of COVID-19 patients in home-based care in western Uganda, 2020

Abstract
To investigate factors associated with COVID-19 among household members of patients in home-based care (HBC) in western Uganda. Methods: We conducted a case-control and cohort study. Cases were RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed 1-30 November 2020 among persons in HBC in Kasese or Kabarole Districts. We compared 78 case-households (≥1 secondary case) to 59 control-households (no secondary cases). The cohort included all case-household members. Data were captured by in-person questionnaire. We regressed to calculate odds and risk ratios. Results: Case-households were larger than control-households (mean 5.8 vs 4.3 members, p<0.0001). Having ≥1 household member per room (aOR=4.5, 95%CI 2.0-9.9) or symptom development (aOR=2.3, 95%CI 1.1-5.0), interaction (aOR=4.6, 95%CI 1.4-14.7) with primary case-patient increased odds of case-household status. Households assessed for suitability for HBC reduced odds of case-household status (aOR=0.4, 95%CI=0.2-0.8). Interacting with primary case-patient (aRR=1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.8) increased the risk of individual infection among household members. Conclusion: Household and individual factors influence secondary infection risk in HBC. Decisions about HBC should be made with these in mind
Description
Keywords
COVID-19, Pandemic, Home based care(HBC), Uganda
Citation
Geofrey Amanya , Peter Elyanu , Richard Migisha , Daniel Kadobera , Alex Riolexus Ario , Julie R. Harris , Individual and household risk factors for COVID-19 infection among household members of COVID-19 patients in home-based care in western Uganda, 2020, IJID Regions (2022), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.11.002