Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Chinese public with respect to coronavirus disease (COVID-19): An online cross-sectional survey (preprint)

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the public play a major role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the KAP of the Chinese public and to assess potential influencing factors related to practices. Methods: : A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China in February 2020 via a self-designed questionnaire comprising 33 questions assessing KAP. Results: : For the 2,136 respondents from 30 provinces or municipalities in China, the accurate response rate for the knowledge section ranged from 72.7% to 99.5%, and the average was 91.2%. Regarding attitude section, the percentage of positive attitudes (“strongly agree” and “agree”) ranged from 94.7% to 99.7%, and the average value was 98.0%. The good practices (“always” and “often”) results ranged from 76.1% to 99.5%, and the average value was 96.8%. The independent samples t-test revealed that gender and ethnic differences had no effect on knowledge, attitude or behaviour (P>0.05). However, knowledge was associated with age (t=4.842, p<0.001), marital status (t=-5.323, p<0.001), education level (t=8.441, p<0.001), occupation (t=-10.858, p<0.001), and place of residence (t=7.929, p<0.001). Similarly, attitude was associated with marital status (t=-2.383, p=0.017), education level (t=2.106, p=0.035), occupation (t=-4.834, p<0.001), and place of residence (t=4.242, p<0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis results showed that the factors influencing practices were knowledge (t=-3.281, p=0.001), attitude (t=18.756, p<0.001), occupation (t=-3.860, p<0.001), education level (t=3.136, p=0.002), and place of residence (t=3.257, p=0.001). Conclusions: : The Chinese public exhibited a good level of knowledge of COVID-19, a positive attitude, and high adherence to good practices. COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes and practices were affected by age, marital status, education level, occupation, and place of residence to varying degrees. In addition, practices were affected by knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in COVID-19 Infections (preprint)

Objectives To compare the clinical characteristics between the rapid cohort and the normal cohort of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in COVID-19 infections, analyze the variables with significant differences, and explore the influencing factors of rapid ESR. Methods Selected a total of 80 patients with ESR detection during hospitalization were measured in 146 patients who received medical observation in concentrated isolation hospital in Guizhou province in China , collected and compared demographic information, epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, laboratory test data and CT image data during the observation between rapid cohort and normal group of ESR. Results By comparison, the proportion of male in the rapid cohort was higher than female. The average age was more than 35 years old, with a large age gap. The proportion of severe and critical patients was more than 26.53% (13/49). However, in the normal cohort the proportion of female was more than male, and the average age was about 8 years lower than the rapid cohort, and the age gap was smaller. The proportion of severe and critical patients was 12.90%, which was less than half of the rapid group. In the two groups, the proportion of clustered cases accounted for more than 50%, and the average number of patients in one family was more than 3. The most common clinical symptoms were cough, sputum, fever, sore throat and weakness of limbs. There were significant differences in ALT, {gamma}-GT and C-reactive protein between the rapid and normal cohort (P<0.05), but no statistically significant in other indicators. Hemoglobin and C-reactive protein have a significant effect on erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusions In this study, we found that ESR is related to Hemoglobin and C-reactive protein.

Children are less affected by COVID-19: a family case study (preprint)

Background: Family clustering has facilitated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and the outflows of people from Wuhan to their hometown has become the most important transmission channel in China. The study aimed to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 infection of an entire family, especially children. Methods: This family case study was conducted in General Mountain Hospital, Guizhou Province. In January 2020, we recruited a family of 13 members, including three children and nine adults, at different stages, from admission screening to discharge. We used standardized case report forms to collect clinical data between January 16, 2020 and March 1, 2020. These data included temperature, contact history, incubation period, laboratory test results, imaging results, length of hospital stay, and treatment outcomes. Results: Eight cases had confirmed diagnoses of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including three mild cases (37.5%) and five common cases (62.5%). The child patient had the shortest length of hospital stay and less obvious symptoms. There was no significant difference between the laboratory test results and CT scans. Conclusions: Children are not susceptible to virus infection in their families. Compared with adult patients, pediatric patients have milder symptoms, shorter hospital stays, and lower risk of lung infections. As this cannot confirm whether their nucleic acid amplification tests are negative or positive after discharge, the management and control of discharged patients should therefore be paid additional attention.