How do the general population behave with facemasks to prevent COVID-19 in the community? A multi-site observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The appropriate use of facemasks, recommended or mandated by authorities, is critical to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. We aim to evaluate frequency and quality of facemask use in general populations. METHODS: A multi-site observational study was carried out from June to July 2020 in the west of France. An observer was positioned at a predetermined place, facing a landmark, and all individual passing between the observer and the landmark were included. The observer collected information on facemask use (type, quality of positioning), location and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 3354 observations were recorded. A facemask was worn by 56.4% (n = 1892) of individuals, including surgical facemasks (56.8%, n = 1075) and cloth masks (43.2%, n = 817). The facemask was correctly positioned in 75.2% (n = 1422) of cases. The factors independently associated with wearing a facemask were being indoors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.28-3.19), being in a mandatory area (aOR, 6.92; 95% CI 5-9.7), female gender (aOR, 1.75; 95% CI 1.54-2.04), age 41-65 years (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI 1.43-2.02) and age > 65 years (aOR, 2.28; 95% CI 1.83-2.85). The factors independently associated with correct mask position were rural location (aOR, 1.38; 95% CI 1.07-1.79), being in an indoor area (aOR, 1.85; 95% CI 1.49-2.3), use of clothmask (aOR, 1.53; 95% CI 1.23-1.91), and age > 40 years (aOR, 1.75 95%CI 1.37-2.23). CONCLUSIONS: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency and quality of facemask wearing remained low in the community setting. Young people in general, and men in particular, represent the priority targets for information campaigns. Simplifying the rules to require universal mandatory facemasking seemed to be the best approach for health authorities.

[Prevention of whooping-cough cross transmission in maternity hospital]. / Prévention de la transmission croisée de la coqueluche: évaluation des connaissances et des organisations dans les maternités.

INTRODUCTION: Reports of pertussis have been increasing since 2008 in North of France. A large part of reported cases involved healthcare workers (HCWs) in nurseries and maternity hospitals. The objective of this study was to determine HCWs' knowledge regarding pertussis and its cross-transmission in the maternity hospitals in North of France. METHODS: This study was conducted in the 38 maternity hospitals set in North of France. Head midwives and nurses, infection control teams and occupational health practitioners were asked through a self-administered questionnaire survey to assess there knowledge regarding pertussis: vaccination, diagnosis, cross-transmission control. RESULTS: 36 on the 38 maternity hospitals' staffs returned the survey. Most of the respondents viewed pertussis as a serious and highly transmissible illness but 30% of them considered it a paediatric illness. Only a minority of the participants knew the last recommendations for pertussis vaccination in HCWs (37%) and in adults (16%). Only a few maternity hospitals staffs have set a formal organization to prevent and control pertussis cross-transmission. CONCLUSION: Awareness about pertussis vaccination and its cross-transmission control needs to be increased among maternity hospital staffs. A close liaison between HCWs, occupational health, infection control teams and biologists is necessary to prepare operational procedures to control pertussis cross transmission.

VEB-1 Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii, France.

VEB-1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii was responsible for an outbreak in hospitals in France. A national alert was triggered in September 2003 when 4 hospitals reported clusters of A. baumannii infection with similar susceptibility profiles. Case definitions and laboratory guidelines were disseminated, and prospective surveillance was implemented; strains were sent to a single laboratory for characterization and typing. From April 2003 through June 2004, 53 hospitals reported 290 cases of A. baumannii infection or colonization; 275 isolates were bla(VEB-1)-positive and clonally related. Cases were first reported in 5 districts of northern France, then in 10 other districts in 4 regions. Within a region, interhospital spread was associated with patient transfer. In northern France, investigation and control measures led to a reduction of reported cases after January 2004. The national alert enabled early control of new clusters, demonstrating the usefulness of early warning about antimicrobial drug resist.