The First Random Observational Survey of Barrier Gestures against COVID-19

Véronique Renault, Marie-France Humblet, Gianni Parisi, Anne-Françoise Donneau, Fabrice Bureau, Laurent Gillet, Sébastien Fontaine and Claude Saegerman
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Véronique Renault: Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal Health (FARAH) Centre, Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiege), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Marie-France Humblet: Unit Biosafety, Department for Occupational Protection and Hygiene, Biosecurity and Environmental Licences, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Gianni Parisi: Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal Health (FARAH) Centre, Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiege), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Anne-Françoise Donneau: Biostatistics Unit, Public Health Department, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Fabrice Bureau: Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, GIGA Institute, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Laurent Gillet: Immunology-Vaccinology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal Health (FARAH) Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Sébastien Fontaine: Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
Claude Saegerman: Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal Health (FARAH) Centre, Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiege), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-13

Abstract: In the context of COVID-19 in Belgium, face-to-face teaching activities were allowed in Belgian universities at the beginning of the 2020–2021 academic year. Nevertheless, several control measures were established to control COVID-19 transmission on the campuses. To ensure compliance with these measures, a random observational survey, based on five barrier gestures, was implemented at the University of Liege (greetings without contact, hand sanitisation, following a one-way traffic flow, wearing a mask and physical distancing). Each barrier gesture was weighted, based on experts’ elicitation, and a scoring system was developed. The results were presented as a diagram (to identify the margin of improvement for each barrier gesture) and a risk management barometer. In total, 526 h of observations were performed. The study revealed that some possible improvements could be made in the management of facilities, in terms of room allocation, the functionality of hydro-alcoholic gel dispensers, floor markings and one-way traffic flow. Compliance with the barrier gestures reached an overall weighted score of 68.2 (between 0 and 100). Three barrier gestures presented a lower implementation rate and should be addressed: the use of hydro-alcoholic gel (particularly when exiting buildings), compliance with the traffic flow and the maintenance of a 1.5 m physical distance outside of the auditoriums. The methodology and tool developed in the present study can easily be applied to other settings. They were proven to be useful in managing COVID-19, as the barometer that was developed and the outcomes of this survey enabled an improved risk assessment on campuses, and identified the critical points to be addressed in any further public health communication or education messages.

Keywords: COVID-19; observation; compliance; barrier gestures; Belgium; student; prevention; barometer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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