Investigating the Most Important Risk Factors for COVID-19 in People Seeking Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing

Abstract

Background: The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a great concern in the world and, in addition to health, threatens other social dimensions. Give the newness of the disease and it's widespread out break around the world, the the present study was conducted with the aim of determining some of the factors that contribute to the infection in at risk individuals so that the results can be used to inform the community. Methods: This case-control study was conducted from February to July 2021, in which, people with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result were placed in the test group and people with a negative test result were placed in the control group. The participants of the two groups were matched in terms of time of referral for testing, age, and gender. Data were collected through a researcher-made checklist and face-to-face interviews, and were analyzed using logistic regression test in Stata software. Findings: A total of 298 subjects (155 case and 143 control subjects) were studied. Those who did not follow social distance were more likely to test positive for PCR (P = 0.001). Moreover, using public transportation increased the odds of a positive PCR test by 1.60 times (P = 0.008). The frequency of attendance at articulation gatherings was statistically significant with positive PCR. The chance of PCR being positive by attending a gathering was 3.98 times higher. According to participants’ comments, the cause of their illness was based on misconceptions including “friends are not carriers because they follow the protocols better than themselves” and “they won't get sick just by attending gatherings once". Conclusion: According to the results of the study, people who did not observe social distance or attended gatherings had a higher chance of contracting COVID-19, and this is one of the most important issues in preventing COVID-19. Because in the comments of the interviewees, some people stated that they got sick because of their misconceptions about using a mask and observing social distance, it can be said that the most important way to prevent the disease is to follow health protocols. Therefore, the important solution is to provide the right education to people in the community and correct misconceptions. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.