COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study
Abstract Background Comparative data collection in transborder areas can contribute to informed decision making processes when dealing with borderless health threats such as pandemics, and thus help minimize the negative health effects for its citizens. To examine the pandemic response over time and...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01102-6 |
| _version_ | 1827948308007485440 |
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| author | C. Stabourlos C. J. A. van Bilsen S. Brinkhues C. P. B. Moonen S. Demarest D. A. T. Hanssen I. H. M. van Loo P. H. M. Savelkoul D. Philippsen B. A. M. van der Zanden N. H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers C. J. P. A. Hoebe |
| author_facet | C. Stabourlos C. J. A. van Bilsen S. Brinkhues C. P. B. Moonen S. Demarest D. A. T. Hanssen I. H. M. van Loo P. H. M. Savelkoul D. Philippsen B. A. M. van der Zanden N. H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers C. J. P. A. Hoebe |
| author_sort | C. Stabourlos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Comparative data collection in transborder areas can contribute to informed decision making processes when dealing with borderless health threats such as pandemics, and thus help minimize the negative health effects for its citizens. To examine the pandemic response over time and the impact of infectious disease control in a cross-border setting, a prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the border area between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. In the spring of 2021, a random sample of 26,925 adult citizens selected from governmental registries was invited to collect a blood sample at home for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing and to fill in an online questionnaire on attitudes and behaviour towards infection prevention measures, cross-border mobility, social network and support, COVID-19 self-reported infection(s) and symptoms, vaccination, general self-reported health and socio-demographics. In autumn 2021, participants were invited for a follow-up round. An online tool was developed to coordinate fieldwork procedures, real-time monitoring of participation and consultation of antibody test results. Furthermore, a helpdesk in all three languages for participants’ support was set up. Results In the first round, 6,006 citizens in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion participated. 15.3% of the invited citizens on the Belgian side of the border participated. In the Netherlands and Germany this was respectively 27% and 23.7%. In the follow-up round 4,286 (71.4%) citizens participated for the second time. The participation rate was highest in the age group 50–69 years and lowest in > 80 in all sub regions of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. More women participated than men. Overall, more blood samples were returned than completed questionnaires. In total, 3,344 citizens in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion completed all components of participation in both rounds. Conclusions The collection of comparative data can help better assess the pandemic response and the impact of infectious disease control in a cross-border area. Recommendations for a longitudinal cross-border study include a centralized online environment, mapping out potential challenges related to national regulations in the preparation phase and organizing regional coordination centres to create more familiarity and trust towards the involved organisations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T12:52:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fc52e36eed6c42d781f246d8c241cb4c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T12:52:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fc52e36eed6c42d781f246d8c241cb4c2023-05-14T11:09:24ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582023-05-0181111110.1186/s13690-023-01102-6COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border studyC. Stabourlos0C. J. A. van Bilsen1S. Brinkhues2C. P. B. Moonen3S. Demarest4D. A. T. Hanssen5I. H. M. van Loo6P. H. M. Savelkoul7D. Philippsen8B. A. M. van der Zanden9N. H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers10C. J. P. A. Hoebe11Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, SciensanoDepartment of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South LimburgPublic Health Service South Limburg, Department of Knowledge and Innovation, Public Health Service (GGD) South LimburgDepartment of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South LimburgDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, SciensanoDepartment of Social Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht UniversityDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical CentreDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University Medical CentreGesundheitsberichterstattungGesundheitsamt DürenFoundation euPreventDepartment of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South LimburgDepartment of Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases and Environmental Health, Living Lab Public Health, Public Health Service South LimburgAbstract Background Comparative data collection in transborder areas can contribute to informed decision making processes when dealing with borderless health threats such as pandemics, and thus help minimize the negative health effects for its citizens. To examine the pandemic response over time and the impact of infectious disease control in a cross-border setting, a prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the border area between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. In the spring of 2021, a random sample of 26,925 adult citizens selected from governmental registries was invited to collect a blood sample at home for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing and to fill in an online questionnaire on attitudes and behaviour towards infection prevention measures, cross-border mobility, social network and support, COVID-19 self-reported infection(s) and symptoms, vaccination, general self-reported health and socio-demographics. In autumn 2021, participants were invited for a follow-up round. An online tool was developed to coordinate fieldwork procedures, real-time monitoring of participation and consultation of antibody test results. Furthermore, a helpdesk in all three languages for participants’ support was set up. Results In the first round, 6,006 citizens in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion participated. 15.3% of the invited citizens on the Belgian side of the border participated. In the Netherlands and Germany this was respectively 27% and 23.7%. In the follow-up round 4,286 (71.4%) citizens participated for the second time. The participation rate was highest in the age group 50–69 years and lowest in > 80 in all sub regions of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. More women participated than men. Overall, more blood samples were returned than completed questionnaires. In total, 3,344 citizens in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion completed all components of participation in both rounds. Conclusions The collection of comparative data can help better assess the pandemic response and the impact of infectious disease control in a cross-border area. Recommendations for a longitudinal cross-border study include a centralized online environment, mapping out potential challenges related to national regulations in the preparation phase and organizing regional coordination centres to create more familiarity and trust towards the involved organisations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01102-6Meuse-Rhine EuroregionHealthCross borderProspective longitudinal studiesInternational health regulationsCOVID-19 serological testing |
| spellingShingle | C. Stabourlos C. J. A. van Bilsen S. Brinkhues C. P. B. Moonen S. Demarest D. A. T. Hanssen I. H. M. van Loo P. H. M. Savelkoul D. Philippsen B. A. M. van der Zanden N. H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers C. J. P. A. Hoebe COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study Archives of Public Health Meuse-Rhine Euroregion Health Cross border Prospective longitudinal studies International health regulations COVID-19 serological testing |
| title | COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study |
| title_full | COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study |
| title_fullStr | COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study |
| title_full_unstemmed | COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study |
| title_short | COVID-19 pandemic response in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion: methods, participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross-border study |
| title_sort | covid 19 pandemic response in the meuse rhine euroregion methods participation and recommendations of a longitudinal cross border study |
| topic | Meuse-Rhine Euroregion Health Cross border Prospective longitudinal studies International health regulations COVID-19 serological testing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01102-6 |
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