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COVID-19 prevention at institutions of higher education, United States, 2020-2021: implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions.
Moreland, Sarah; Zviedrite, Nicole; Ahmed, Faruque; Uzicanin, Amra.
  • Moreland S; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
  • Zviedrite N; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, 1299 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA.
  • Ahmed F; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA. jmu6@cdc.gov.
  • Uzicanin A; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
BMC Public Health ; 23(1): 164, 2023 01 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2214570
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

In early 2020, following the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, institutions of higher education (IHEs) across the United States rapidly pivoted to online learning to reduce the risk of on-campus virus transmission. We explored IHEs' use of this and other nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during the subsequent pandemic-affected academic year 2020-2021.

METHODS:

From December 2020 to June 2021, we collected publicly available data from official webpages of 847 IHEs, including all public (n = 547) and a stratified random sample of private four-year institutions (n = 300). Abstracted data included NPIs deployed during the academic year such as changes to the calendar, learning environment, housing, common areas, and dining; COVID-19 testing; and facemask protocols. We performed weighted analysis to assess congruence with the October 29, 2020, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for IHEs. For IHEs offering ≥50% of courses in person, we used weighted multivariable linear regression to explore the association between IHE characteristics and the summated number of implemented NPIs.

RESULTS:

Overall, 20% of IHEs implemented all CDC-recommended NPIs. The most frequently utilized NPI was learning environment changes (91%), practiced as one or more of the following modalities distance or hybrid learning opportunities (98%), 6-ft spacing (60%), and reduced class sizes (51%). Additionally, 88% of IHEs specified facemask protocols, 78% physically changed common areas, and 67% offered COVID-19 testing. Among the 33% of IHEs offering ≥50% of courses in person, having < 1000 students was associated with having implemented fewer NPIs than IHEs with ≥1000 students.

CONCLUSIONS:

Only 1 in 5 IHEs implemented all CDC recommendations, while a majority implemented a subset, most commonly changes to the classroom, facemask protocols, and COVID-19 testing. IHE enrollment size and location were associated with degree of NPI implementation. Additional research is needed to assess adherence to NPI implementation in IHE settings.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Education, Distance / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-023-15079-y

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Education, Distance / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2023 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-023-15079-y