Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Jordan: A cross-sectional study in the prevaccination period

Ahmad Ali Qaied Al-Mharmah; Emrah Ruh; Ozgur Tosun; Waleed Mahmoud Husein Almomani

doi:10.3855/jidc.19980

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Jordan: A cross-sectional study in the prevaccination period

Authors

Ahmad Ali Qaied Al-Mharmah Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9473-9784
Emrah Ruh Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4741-9450
Ozgur Tosun Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1995-9425
Waleed Mahmoud Husein Almomani Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8952-7295

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.19980

Keywords:

COVID-19, epidemiology, Jordan, risk factors, SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Jordan during the prevaccination period.

Methodology: Between December 2020 and February 2021, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs of 2,460 participants were tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To assess the risk factors, a questionnaire was applied during sample collection.

Results: Of the participants, 1,463 (59.5%) individuals were found positive for SARS-CoV-2. In multivariate analysis, male gender, younger age, lower educational level, being single, middle and higher socioeconomic status, having symptoms, presence of underlying conditions and smoking were significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity. On the contrary, washing hands routinely with soap and water, and use of alcohol-based disinfectants significantly reduced possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusions: The study findings showed that determination of risk factors is of great importance to maintain disease monitoring, prevention and control, particularly in settings with high infection rates.

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Published

2024-09-30

How to Cite

Al-Mharmah AAQ, Ruh E, Tosun O, Almomani WMH (2024) Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Jordan: A cross-sectional study in the prevaccination period. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:S9-S17. doi: 10.3855/jidc.19980

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 09.1: September 2024 - SUPPLEMENT

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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