Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Police Officers in Poland—Implications for Public Health Policies

Filip Raciborski, Mateusz Jankowski, Mariusz Gujski, Jarosław Pinkas, Piotr Samel-Kowalik, Artur Zaczyński, Igor Pańkowski, Kamil Rakocy and Waldemar Wierzba
Additional contact information
Filip Raciborski: Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Mateusz Jankowski: School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-826 Warsaw, Poland
Mariusz Gujski: Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Jarosław Pinkas: School of Public Health, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 01-826 Warsaw, Poland
Piotr Samel-Kowalik: Department of Prevention of Environmental Hazards and Allergology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
Artur Zaczyński: Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
Igor Pańkowski: Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland
Kamil Rakocy: KR Consulting, 00-001 Warsaw, Poland
Waldemar Wierzba: Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to characterize sources of knowledge on the means of prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as to assess the methods of preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among police employees in Poland and their potential impact on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: The study consisted of two phases: questionnaire and laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The questionnaire included 30 questions related to risk factors, knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, and methods of infection prevention. Results: Data were obtained from 5082 police employees. The most common source of knowledge for a daily update on SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention was the Internet (42.6%), television (40.3%), and radio (39.7%). The most commonly used methods of SARS-CoV-2 infection included washing one’s hands for at least 20 s (95.8%), wearing facemasks (82.9%), and physical distancing (74.9%). Results of IgG tests were lower in police units where the overall compliance with the preventive measures was higher ( p < 0.01). Women were more likely to exercise SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention behaviors compared to men. Compliance with the recommended protective measures increased with age. Conclusions: Lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity rates were observed in police units with better overall compliance with the preventive measures, suggesting the key importance of group rather than individual behaviors.

Keywords: coronavirus; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; infection prevention; police (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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