Study protocol for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection and its determinants in Catalonia (Spain): an observational and participatory research approach in a Sentinel Network of Schools. Issue 1 (25th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bordas, Anna; Soriano-Arandes, Antoni; Subirana, Maria; Malagrida, Rosina; Reyes-Urueña, Juliana Maria; Folch, Cinta; Soler-Palacin, Pere; Gascón, Mireia; Sunyer, Jordi; Anton, Andres; Blanco, Ignacio; Fernández-Morales, Jessica; Colom-Cadena, Andreu; Sentís, Alexis; Pumarola, Tomas; Basora, Josep; Casabona, Jordi
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Casabona Jordi author non-byline.; Sunyer Jordi author non-byline.; Soler-Palacín Pere author non-byline.; Malagrida Rosina author non-byline.; Reyes-Urueña Juliana author non-byline.; Folch Cinta author non-byline.; Romano Pol author non-byline.; Muntada Esteve author non-byline.; Bordas Anna author non-byline.; Colom-Cadena Andreu author non-byline.; Gascón Mireia author non-byline.; Subirana Maria author non-byline.; Sunyer Jordi author non-byline.; Malagrida Rosina author non-byline.; Fernández Jessica author non-byline.; Soriano Antonio author non-byline.; Vidal Josep author non-byline.; Pumarola Tomàs author non-byline.; Antón Andrés author non-byline.; Andrés Cristina author non-byline.; Esperalba Juliana author non-byline.; Blanco Albert author non-byline.; Blanco Ignacio author non-byline.; Cardona Pere-Joan author non-byline.; González Maria Victoria author non-byline.; Fernández Gema author non-byline.; Esteban Cristina author non-byline.; Díaz Yesika author non-byline.; Alonso Lucia author non-byline.; Aceiton Jordi author non-byline.; Montoro Marcos author non-byline.; Muntada Esteve author non-byline.; Romano Pol author non-byline.; Subirana Maria author non-byline.; Fernández Jessica author non-byline.; Colom-Cadena Andreu author non-byline.; Martínez Isabel author non-byline.; Herrero Marina author non-byline.; García Alba author non-byline.; Rus Juan author non-byline.; i Silvia Burgaya Esperança Macià author non-byline.; Riera-Bosch Mª Teresa author non-byline.; Sola Elisabet author non-byline.; Aulet Lidia author non-byline.; Mendoza Maria author non-byline.; Busquets Lidia author non-byline.; Perramon Xavier author non-byline.; Sebastià Júlia author non-byline.; Moreno Ana author non-byline.; Duran Xavier author non-byline.; Pérez Belen author non-byline.; Gatell Anna author non-byline.; Coma Maria author non-byline.; Mas Ariadna author non-byline.; Llopis Maria Antònia author non-byline.; Pequeño Sandra author non-byline.; Mendioroz Jacobo author non-byline.; Cabezas Carmen author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 12:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-25
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- community child health -- public health -- epidemiology; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055649
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Since the SARS-CoV-2 became of concern in January 2020, many preventive measures have been adopted in educational settings to ensure the control of COVID-19 pandemic among children and staff in schools. This study aims to set up a school sentinel surveillance network with the purpose of monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection, seroprevalence as well as to analyse the impact of preventive interventions of SARS-CoV-2 in school settings. Additionally, we will assess diverse screening strategies in a cohort of students and school staff to monitor the screening acceptance and its potential impact. Altogether, we hope this study will enable the design of more effective strategies for the prevention of COVID-19 spread. Methods and analysis: The sentinel schools' study is a cross-sectional, school-based project including 26 participating sentinel schools in Catalonia (Spain). Children, adolescents and staff at the schools will be invited to participate. This project will be carried out from January 2021 to June 2022 as follows: (1) twice yearly serological testing and molecular SARS-CoV-2 detection and questionnaires covering SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, tests, health, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours; (2) an environmental evaluation carried out in different classrooms; (3) SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and the impact of different variants among confirmed cases and classmates; (4) a participatory process by which the participants are invited to act as coinvestigators to evaluate prevention strategies and provide recommendations to improve COVID-19 prevention in schools. Descriptive analysis will be performed for the main variables collected. The incidence and seroprevalence will be calculated and the association with sociodemographic factors and school characteristics will be determined using multivariate logistic regression. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the IDIAPJGol and the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron ethics committees. A report will be generated quarterly. Findings will be disseminated at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.