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Factors associated with contracting COVID-19 at a High School in Makonde District, Zimbabwe, November 2020
Abstract
Introduction: The outbreak at a high school was reported on the 18th of November 2020, and from the 18thto the 24th, 73 cases were confirmed. We conducted an outbreak investigation to determine the factors associated with contracting Covid-19 (Corona virus Disease of 2019) at the school in Makonde district.
Methods: We conducted an unmatched 1:1 case-control study. Cases were students with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and controls as students with a negative PCR. A sample size of 67 cases and controls was calculated and both cases and controls were selected randomly. All ethical considerations were strictly observed. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire and the school environment was assessed using a checklist. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted.
Results: We enrolled 73 cases and 73 controls into the study. The classrooms had 39.8 (SD=13) students per each class against a capacity of 25. The boarding hostels were housing 603 students against a capacity of 400. Close contact with an infected patient (aOR 26.6; 95% CI: 10.8–64.4) was a risk factor for contracting Covid-19. Following recommended hand hygiene practices (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.25–0.97) and wearing face masks (aOR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.20–0.82) were protective.
Conclusion: The school was overcrowded and close contact with an infected patient was a risk factor. Good hand hygiene practice and wearing face masks was protective. We instituted strict quarantine for the cases and increased the handwashing facilities from 1 per hostel to 8-10 per hostel and reduced the intake of new students.
