Who, where and why is being tested to find out if you are infected with the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19 disease? Some answers are presented in the new results released by the “Diaries of a Pandemic” study, an investigation conducted by the Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (ISPUP) and the Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Tecnologia e Ciência (INESC TEC), in partnership with the PÚBLICO newspaper.
From March 23 to April 21, it was possible to notice, for example, that the highest proportion of positive tests occurred among people who never experienced any symptoms or had any contact with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. It was also found that the people who do the most testing are in health and social care jobs.
The investigation, which began on 23 March, is inviting citizens to answer a set of questions on a daily basis, which aim to help understand the evolution of Portuguese lives during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The results reported in this new report focus on testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and relate to the period from 23 March to 21 April 2020. In the study participated 11,125 individuals, who completed 127,744 questionnaires.
Asymptomatic people and with no contact with suspected or confirmed cases had a higher proportion of positive tests
In the study sample, the highest proportion of positive tests occurred in people who never manifested any symptoms of COVID-19, namely cough, fever and or difficulty breathing.
Of the 11,125 individuals participating in the research, 8613 reported never having had personal contact with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 or developing any symptoms. Still, because they have a higher perception of risk, for instance, 187 individuals decided to be tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. And almost half (91 people) were found to be infected.
It should be highlighted that in the study, 2523 people declared having had symptoms of the disease and/or contact with individuals suspected or infected by the new coronavirus. There were those with only symptoms, those with only risk contacts and those with simultaneously symptoms and risk contacts.
Of the 295 people who said they had had both symptoms and risk contacts, at the same time, only 73 (24.7%) went for testing, when it would be expected that all of them would have done so.
“We do not know what reasons may have led these participants not to have taken a test when apparently it would have been indicated, nor, on the contrary, what made them decide to take such a test or to have it prescribed to them in the face of a symptom pattern or epidemiological link not suggestive of risk.”, refer the researchers in the released report.
The performing of the test varies according to the level of education
The study concluded that the performance of the test varies according to the level of education. Participants with a PhD were the least likely to take the test, followed by individuals with secondary education or less. As for people with bachelor or master degrees they were the most frequently tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Health and social support professionals did more testing
Another of the results revealed shows that the participants who mentioned having jobs related to human health and social support, were the most frequently tested (8.8%), despite also being the ones who had fewer positive tests for the infection. This may mean that “even in situations of higher risk, knowledge and application of preventive measures can lead to a lower risk of contracting the infection”, the report says.
The study also shows that the proportion of tests is superior among participants who have ever left home for work, compared to those who were able to stay on telecommuting or who were not working.
Tests were more frequent in women and in residents of the North and Azores regions
In the sample analysed, the tests were more frequent among women (4,5%) than among men (3,7%). The youngest (16-29 years old) were the least tested, with the highest proportion of tests being carried out in participants aged 30 to 39, 50 to 59 and 60 or over (4.9%, respectively).
In terms of geographical distribution, the number of tests was higher among residents of the Azores and the North Region.
Keep participating!
The study “Diaries of a Pandemic” continues to collect information on how the Portuguese act in relation to a set of situations that could influence the course of the pandemic of COVID-19 in Portugal. Every week, new results are released.
In order for us to produce relevant scientific knowledge in this area, we need your collaboration. So please, continue to participate by dedicating 5 to 10 minutes of your day to answer the questions in our survey.
If you have not yet participated in the study “Diaries of a Pandemic”, you can do so here.
Image: Pixabay/fernandozhiminaicela
