Tracing management and epidemiological characteristics of close contact COVID-19 in primary health care

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Several countries, including Indonesia, have made tracing efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. In carrying out this tracing, it is not only about tracing close contacts but also about digging up some information related to the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19. So this information can be useful in analyzing the future incidence of disease or health problems. This paper aims to analyze the management of tracing and epidemiological characteristics of close contacts with COVID-19 in Primary Health Care (Puskesmas). Especially Primary Health Care in Pengasih I, Pengasih II, Sentolo I, and Sentolo II.Methods: The design of this study is a type of descriptive epidemiological research with retrospective data. Retrospective data were analyzed descriptively regarding the epidemiological characteristics of close contact with COVID-19. They then tested the formulation of the hypothesis with univariate, bivariate, and multivariate data analysis. Total sampling was utilized for the study from February 1(st) to March 3(rd,) 2022.Results: Contact tracing was carried out by following the guidelines for tracing implementation issued by the government. Close contact data is 1,450 and dominated by women aged 16-54. The frequency of asymptomatic is more than that of symptomatic. There are 535 close contacts whose status changed to confirmed cases.Conclusion: Close contacts have the risk of undetected infection, so early control of close contact can control the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, tracing efforts by health workers aimed at early detection of close contacts and quarantine measures for close household contacts are appropriate to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 so that this tracing can be achieved.