loading page

Factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection in university students: a school-wide web-based survey during the Omicron variant outbreak
  • +8
  • Mai Katahira,
  • Hisami Sameshima,
  • Rie Tanuma,
  • Kumi Setoyama,
  • Yuka Yamaguchi,
  • Akiyo Kamachi,
  • Satoko Nakamura,
  • Mayuko Sakuma,
  • Yoichi Kawaike,
  • Tamotsu Furuya,
  • Shinji Ijichi
Mai Katahira
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Hisami Sameshima
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Rie Tanuma
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Kumi Setoyama
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Yuka Yamaguchi
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Akiyo Kamachi
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Satoko Nakamura
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Mayuko Sakuma
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Yoichi Kawaike
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Tamotsu Furuya
Kagoshima University
Author Profile
Shinji Ijichi
Kagoshima University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile

Abstract

Background: The Omicron outbreak is characterized by breakthrough infection and reinfection. If no strategic solution can be found, vaccination-rate-based risk compensation may prolong the COVID-19 crisis. Infection control in university students may have an indirect impact on the COVID-19 burden for other age groups Methods: To reveal the association between related factors and a symptomatic episode of COVID-19, a school-wide web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among university students as a part of the annual health check-up in April, 2023. The positive outcome was confined to the first symptomatic onset during the Omicron variant outbreak. Results: In this self-administered and non-observational survey, risk or protective associations were merely estimated statistically in university students (n = 5,406). In measured factors, karaoke and club/group activities could maintain the statistical significance in adjusted odds ratios (ORs) as (relative) risk factors, and science course, measles/rubella (MR) vaccination, and COVID-19 vaccination remained as (relative) protective factors in adjusted OR analyses. Club/group activities (with member gathering) and karaoke sing-along sessions in university students may frequently have WHO’s three Cs. These risk factors are still important topics for the infection control of COVID-19 in university students. Together with some recent reports from other researchers, the significant protective role of MR vaccine in our survey warrants further clinical investigation. Conclusions: If the breakthrough infection continuously constitutes the majority of infection, real data in test-negative case-control or web-based questionnaire design continue to be important for statistical analysis to determine the minimal requirement of our strategies which may replace COVID-19 vaccines.