Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in University Students: A Case-Control Study

Giuseppe Migliara, Erika Renzi (), Valentina Baccolini, Ambrogio Cerri, Pierluigi Donia, Azzurra Massimi, Carolina Marzuillo, Corrado De Vito, Leandro Casini, Antonella Polimeni, Eugenio Gaudio, Paolo Villari and The Collaborating Group
Additional contact information
Giuseppe Migliara: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Erika Renzi: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Valentina Baccolini: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Ambrogio Cerri: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Pierluigi Donia: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Azzurra Massimi: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Carolina Marzuillo: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Corrado De Vito: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Leandro Casini: Special Office for Prevention, Protection and High Vigilance, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Antonella Polimeni: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Eugenio Gaudio: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Paolo Villari: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
The Collaborating Group: Collaborators are indicated in the Acknowledgment section.

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Closure of Higher Education Institutions in the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was largely diffused. With their reopening, numerous preventive measures have been enacted, but limited evidence exists on students’ behavior that could influence their infection risk. We conducted a case-control study at the Sapienza University of Rome to identify protective and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Students attending the campus within 48 h of SARS-CoV-2 infection were considered cases. Controls were students who come in contact with a confirmed case within the campus. Demographic features and activities carried out before positivity or contact were investigated. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, estimating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The analysis showed an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for attending the second year or above of university (aOR 17.7, 95% CI 2.21–142.82) and participating in private parties or ceremonies (aOR 15.9, 95% CI 2.30–109.67) while living outside the family (aOR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.54) and attending practical activities or libraries on campus (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.08–0.97) reduced the risk. Data strongly suggests that it may be safe to participate in activities organized under strict infection prevention guidelines. Tailored prevention measures might reduce the risk of infection in university students.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; high education institution; students; case-control study; risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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