Use of SMS-linked electronic surveys for COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing - Marin County, CA, USA.
Public Health Pract (Oxf)
; 2: 100170, 2021 Nov.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1331169
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
We sought to quantify the proportion of contacts reported by persons with COVID-19 through a short message service (SMS)-linked survey in comparison to the proportion of contacts reported during a follow-up phone-interview. We also sought to assess improvement in contact tracing timeliness associated with sending SMS-linked surveys. STUDYDESIGN:
During December 4-15, 2020, persons identified as COVID-19 cases whose data was entered into Marin County's contact tracing database on even days received a SMS-linked survey and persons whose data was entered on odd days did not; all were called for case investigation and contact tracing. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare demographic data. Chi-square test was used to contrast categorical outcomes, and Wilcoxon's rank-sum test was used for continuous outcomes.RESULTS:
Among 350 SMS-linked survey recipients, 85 (24%) responded and 4 (1%) reported contacts using the survey; an additional 303 contacts were reported during phone interviews. Without phone interviews, 99% of reported contacts would have been missed. There was no meaningful difference between study arms in the proportion of contacts notified within 48 h.CONCLUSIONS:
This SMS-linked survey had low participation and was not useful for identifying contacts. Phone interviews remained crucial for COVID-19 contact tracing.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Public Health Pract (Oxf)
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.puhip.2021.100170
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS