The actual implementation status of self-isolation among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 outbreak

Tropical Medicine and Health

Hidehiro Watanabe¹  Itaru Nakamura¹  Takako Kojima²  Yuko Odagiri³  Shiho Amagasa³  Hiroyuki Kikuchi³  Noritoshi Fukushima³  Masaki Machida³  Tomoko Takamiya³  Shigeru Inoue³  Reiko Saito⁴  Tomoki Nakaya⁵  Tomoya Hanibuchi⁵ 

[1] Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Tokyo Medical University Hospital;Department of International Medical Communications, Tokyo Medical University;Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University;Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences;Graduate School of Environmental Studies;

关键词: COVID-19;    viral infection;    pandemic;    outbreak;    self-isolation;    protective measures;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s41182-020-00250-7

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Self-isolation is an important personal protective measure in inhibiting the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as people carry out economic and social activities amid its spread. Yet few studies have clarified the actual implementation status of self-isolation during an outbreak. This study aimed to reveal the actual implementation of self-isolation among Japanese workers during the COVID-19 outbreak and the factors inhibiting this measure. Methods This was a cross-sectional study based on an internet survey completed by 1,226 workers (60.0% men) living in 7 prefectures (i.e., Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma) who were selected among registrants of an Internet research company, between May 12 and 17, 2020. Participants were asked whether they had experienced fever or other cold symptoms between February 17, 2020 and the date of the survey. Those who responded affirmatively were asked where they had visited (e.g., hospital, work, and shopping for groceries or necessities) to clarify whether they had left the house within 7 days after symptom onset. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to clarify the relationship between going to work within 7 days after symptom onset and both sociodemographic factors and employment-related constraints. Results Of the survey participants, 82 had experienced fever or other cold symptoms (6.7%). Among these participants, 51 (62.2%) went to work within 7 days after symptom onset. A mere 17.1% practiced strict self-isolation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that those living outside the metropolitan area (i.e., Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma), working as a company employee, and being unable to work from home were associated with going to work within 7 days after symptom onset. Conclusions The prevalence of strict self-isolation among participants who experienced cold-like symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak was extremely low, and 62.2% of these participants went to work within 7 days after symptom onset. This study highlights the need for further public awareness regarding self-isolation and countermeasures against factors that obstruct it.

【 授权许可】

Unknown