Association between social activities and risk of COVID-19 in a cohort of healthcare personnel

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Previous studies have linked social behaviors to COVID-19 risk in the general population. The impact of these behaviors among healthcare personnel, who face higher workplace exposure risks and possess greater prevention awareness, remains less explored. Design: We conducted a Prospective cohort study from December 2021 to May 2022, using monthly surveys. Exposures included (1) a composite of nine common social activities in the past month and (2) similarity of social behavior compared to pre-pandemic. Outcomes included self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection (primary)and testing for SARS-CoV-2 (secondary). Mixed-effect logistic regression assessed the association between social behavior and outcomes, adjusting for baseline and time-dependent covariates. To account for missed surveys, we employed inverse probability-of-censoring weighting with a propensity score approach. Setting: An academic healthcare system. Participants: Healthcare personnel. Results: Of 1,302 healthcare personnel who completed ≥2 surveys, 244 reported ≥1 positive test during the study, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 19%. More social activities in the past month and social behavior similar to pre-pandemic levels were associated with increased likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection (recent social activity composite: OR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.02–1.21; pre-pandemic social similarity: OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.21). Neither was significantly associated with testing for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: Healthcare personnel social behavior outside work was associated with a higher risk for COVID-19. To protect the hospital workforce, risk mitigation strategies for healthcare personnel should focus on both the community and workplace.