Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Background: In response to rapid global spread of the newly emerged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), universities transitioned to online learning and telework to decrease risks of inter-person contact. To help administrators respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and better understand its impacts, we...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.689919/full |
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| author | David G. Lopes David G. Lopes Ana Rita Henriques Ana Rita Henriques Margarida Santos-Dias Margarida Santos-Dias Catarina Nunes-da-Silva Catarina Nunes-da-Silva Juliana Gonçalves Juliana Gonçalves Rute D. de Sousa Rute D. de Sousa Saba Abdulghani Saba Abdulghani Jair Eletério Jair Eletério Sofia Jacinto Braga Sofia Jacinto Braga Helena Soares Helena Soares Jaime C. Branco Jaime C. Branco Jaime C. Branco Helena Canhão Helena Canhão Helena Canhão Ana M. Rodrigues Ana M. Rodrigues |
| author_facet | David G. Lopes David G. Lopes Ana Rita Henriques Ana Rita Henriques Margarida Santos-Dias Margarida Santos-Dias Catarina Nunes-da-Silva Catarina Nunes-da-Silva Juliana Gonçalves Juliana Gonçalves Rute D. de Sousa Rute D. de Sousa Saba Abdulghani Saba Abdulghani Jair Eletério Jair Eletério Sofia Jacinto Braga Sofia Jacinto Braga Helena Soares Helena Soares Jaime C. Branco Jaime C. Branco Jaime C. Branco Helena Canhão Helena Canhão Helena Canhão Ana M. Rodrigues Ana M. Rodrigues |
| author_sort | David G. Lopes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: In response to rapid global spread of the newly emerged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), universities transitioned to online learning and telework to decrease risks of inter-person contact. To help administrators respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and better understand its impacts, we surveyed SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among NOVA University employees and assessed community mental health.Methods: Data were collected from voluntary participants at six NOVA University locations, in the Lisbon metropolitan area, from June 15–30, 2020. All subjects provided written informed consent. Of 1,627 recruited participants (mean age 42.0 ± 12.3 years), 1,624 were tested. Prior to blood collection, participants completed a questionnaire that assessed: COVID-19 symptoms during the previous 14 days, chronic non-communicable diseases, chronic medication, anxiety, and depression symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 serology tests were then performed, and results communicated approximately 4 days after blood draw. Participants with positive serology tests were contacted to assess COVID-19 symptoms since February.Results: Estimated prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 3.1% (n = 50), of which 43.5% reported symptoms in the previous 4 months. The Medical School had the highest seroprevalence (6.2%). Participants reported having at least one chronic disease (63.7%), depression-like symptoms (2.1%), and anxiety symptoms (8.1%). Rates of depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher in women, with sleep hours and occasional alcohol consumption negatively associated with depression. Male gender, older age, and sleep hours negatively associated with anxiety symptoms. School of employment and presence of comorbidities positively associated with anxiety.Conclusion: By measuring seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among NOVA employees and assessing subjects' mental health, we aim to help administrators at European public universities in urban areas, such as Lisbon, Portugal, better understand the needs of their communities. This study resulted in implementation of a stricter contingency plan in the Medical School, while other schools continued to follow Government mitigation guidelines. These findings may also guide the development of tailored strategies to ensure physical and mental health of the academic community during this pandemic crisis. We conclude that, together with COVID-19 contingency plans, psychological support services and facilities to help people effectively face pandemic-associated challenges and minimise anxiety and depression should be implemented. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T07:29:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8549e00085164631af316bb3023a589a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T07:29:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-8549e00085164631af316bb3023a589a2022-12-21T21:58:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652021-06-01910.3389/fpubh.2021.689919689919Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 PandemicDavid G. Lopes0David G. Lopes1Ana Rita Henriques2Ana Rita Henriques3Margarida Santos-Dias4Margarida Santos-Dias5Catarina Nunes-da-Silva6Catarina Nunes-da-Silva7Juliana Gonçalves8Juliana Gonçalves9Rute D. de Sousa10Rute D. de Sousa11Saba Abdulghani12Saba Abdulghani13Jair Eletério14Jair Eletério15Sofia Jacinto Braga16Sofia Jacinto Braga17Helena Soares18Helena Soares19Jaime C. Branco20Jaime C. Branco21Jaime C. Branco22Helena Canhão23Helena Canhão24Helena Canhão25Ana M. Rodrigues26Ana M. Rodrigues27Comprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, Lisbon Institute of Global Mental Health, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalHuman Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalHuman Immunobiology and Pathogenesis Laboratory, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalServiço De Reumatologia Do Hospital Egas Moniz—Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental (CHLO-E.P.E.), Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalNational School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), Lisbon, PortugalComprehensive Health Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalEpiDoC Unit, Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, PortugalBackground: In response to rapid global spread of the newly emerged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), universities transitioned to online learning and telework to decrease risks of inter-person contact. To help administrators respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and better understand its impacts, we surveyed SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among NOVA University employees and assessed community mental health.Methods: Data were collected from voluntary participants at six NOVA University locations, in the Lisbon metropolitan area, from June 15–30, 2020. All subjects provided written informed consent. Of 1,627 recruited participants (mean age 42.0 ± 12.3 years), 1,624 were tested. Prior to blood collection, participants completed a questionnaire that assessed: COVID-19 symptoms during the previous 14 days, chronic non-communicable diseases, chronic medication, anxiety, and depression symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 serology tests were then performed, and results communicated approximately 4 days after blood draw. Participants with positive serology tests were contacted to assess COVID-19 symptoms since February.Results: Estimated prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 3.1% (n = 50), of which 43.5% reported symptoms in the previous 4 months. The Medical School had the highest seroprevalence (6.2%). Participants reported having at least one chronic disease (63.7%), depression-like symptoms (2.1%), and anxiety symptoms (8.1%). Rates of depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher in women, with sleep hours and occasional alcohol consumption negatively associated with depression. Male gender, older age, and sleep hours negatively associated with anxiety symptoms. School of employment and presence of comorbidities positively associated with anxiety.Conclusion: By measuring seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among NOVA employees and assessing subjects' mental health, we aim to help administrators at European public universities in urban areas, such as Lisbon, Portugal, better understand the needs of their communities. This study resulted in implementation of a stricter contingency plan in the Medical School, while other schools continued to follow Government mitigation guidelines. These findings may also guide the development of tailored strategies to ensure physical and mental health of the academic community during this pandemic crisis. We conclude that, together with COVID-19 contingency plans, psychological support services and facilities to help people effectively face pandemic-associated challenges and minimise anxiety and depression should be implemented.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.689919/fullcoronavirusSARS-CoV-2serology testingadaptation to COVID-19public healthacademic environment |
| spellingShingle | David G. Lopes David G. Lopes Ana Rita Henriques Ana Rita Henriques Margarida Santos-Dias Margarida Santos-Dias Catarina Nunes-da-Silva Catarina Nunes-da-Silva Juliana Gonçalves Juliana Gonçalves Rute D. de Sousa Rute D. de Sousa Saba Abdulghani Saba Abdulghani Jair Eletério Jair Eletério Sofia Jacinto Braga Sofia Jacinto Braga Helena Soares Helena Soares Jaime C. Branco Jaime C. Branco Jaime C. Branco Helena Canhão Helena Canhão Helena Canhão Ana M. Rodrigues Ana M. Rodrigues Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Frontiers in Public Health coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 serology testing adaptation to COVID-19 public health academic environment |
| title | Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full | Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_short | Staff SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence and Mental Health as Key Factors in University Response to COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_sort | staff sars cov 2 seroprevalence and mental health as key factors in university response to covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 serology testing adaptation to COVID-19 public health academic environment |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.689919/full |
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