Demographic, social, and behavioral correlates of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in a representative, population-based study of Minnesota residents.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring COVID-19 infection risk in the general population is a public health priority. Few studies have measured seropositivity using representative, probability samples. The present study measured seropositivity in a representative population of Minnesota residents prior to vaccines and assess the characteristics, behaviors, and beliefs of the population at the outset of the pandemic and their association with subsequent infection. METHODS: Participants in the Minnesota COVID-19 Antibody Study (MCAS) were recruited from residents of Minnesota who participated in the COVID-19 Household Impact Survey (CIS), a population-based survey that collected data on physical health, mental health, and economic security information between April 20 and June 8 of 2020. This was followed by collection of antibody test results between December 29, 2020 and February 26, 2021. Demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal exposures were assessed for association with the outcome of interest, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 907 potential participants from the CIS, 585 respondents then consented to participate in the antibody testing (64.4% consent rate). Of these, results from 537 test kits were included in the final analytic sample, and 51 participants (9.5%) were seropositive. The overall weighted seroprevalence was calculated to be 11.81% (95% CI, 7.30%-16.32%) at of the time of test collection. In adjusted multivariate logistic regression models, significant associations between seroprevalence and the following were observed; being from 23-64 and 65+ age groups were both associated with higher odds of COVID-19 seropositivity compared to the 18-22 age group (17.8 [1.2-260.1] and 24.7 [1.5-404.4] respectively). When compared to a less than $30k annual income reference group, all higher income groups had significantly lower odds of seropositivity. Reporting practicing a number of 10 (median reported value in sample) or more of 19 potential COVID-19 mitigation factors (e.g. handwashing and mask wearing) was associated with lower odds of seropositivity (0.4 [0.1-0.99]) Finally, the presence of at least one household member in the age range of 6 to 17 years old was associated with higher odds of seropositivity (8.3 [1.2-57.0]). CONCLUSIONS: The adjusted odds ratio of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was significantly positively associated with increasing age and having household member(s) in the 6-17 year age group, while increasing income levels and a mitigation score at or above the median were shown to be significantly protective factors.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in a Population-Based Study of Minnesota Residents.

COVID-19 continues to be a public health concern in the United States. Although safe and effective vaccines have been developed, a significant proportion of the US population has not received a COVID-19 vaccine. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the demographics and behaviors of Minnesota adults who have not received the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine, or the booster shot using data from the Minnesota COVID-19 Antibody Study (MCAS) collected through a population-based sample between September and December 2021. Data were collected using a web-based survey sent to individuals that responded to a similar survey in 2020 and their adult household members. The sample was 51% female and 86% White/Non-Hispanic. A total of 9% of vaccine-eligible participants had not received the primary series and 23% of those eligible to receive a booster had not received it. Older age, higher education, better self-reported health, $75,000 to $100,000 annual household income, mask-wearing, and social distancing were associated with lower odds of hesitancy. Gender, race, and previous COVID-19 infection were not associated with hesitancy. The most frequently reported reason for not receiving a COVID-19 vaccination was safety concerns. Mask-wearing and being age 65 or older were the only strong predictors of lower odds of vaccine hesitancy for both the primary series and booster analyses.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring COVID-19 infection risk among health care workers (HCWs) is a public health priority. We examined the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among HCWs following the fall infection surge in Minnesota, and before and after COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, we assessed demographic and occupational risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: We conducted two rounds of seroprevalence testing among a cohort of HCWs: samples in round 1 were collected from 11/22/20-02/21/21 and in round 2 from 12/18/20-02/15/21. Demographic and occupational exposures assessed with logistic regression were age, sex, healthcare role and setting, and number of children in the household. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity. A secondary outcome, SARS-CoV-2 infection, included both seropositivity and self-reported SARS-CoV-2 test positivity. RESULTS: In total, 459 HCWs were tested. 43/454 (9.47%) had a seropositive sample 1 and 75/423 (17.7%) had a seropositive sample 2. By time of sample 2 collection, 54% of participants had received at least one vaccine dose and seroprevalence was 13% among unvaccinated individuals. Relative to physicians, the odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection in other roles were increased (Nurse Practitioner: OR[95%CI] 1.93[0.57,6.53], Physician's Assistant: 1.69[0.38,7.52], Nurse: 2.33[0.94,5.78], Paramedic/EMTs: 3.86[0.78,19.0], other: 1.68[0.58,4.85]). The workplace setting was associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (p = 0.04). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among HCWs reporting duties in the ICU vs. those working in an ambulatory clinic was elevated: OR[95%CI] 2.17[1.01,4.68]. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in HCW increased during our study period which was consistent with community infection rates. HCW role and setting-particularly working in the ICU-is associated with higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Identification of Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Seroprevalence Studies Among Vaccinated Populations.

Most SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays cannot distinguish between antibodies that developed after natural infection and those that developed after vaccination. We assessed the accuracy of a nucleocapsid-containing assay in identifying natural infection among vaccinated individuals. A longitudinal cohort composed of health care workers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area was enrolled. Two rounds of seroprevalence studies separated by 1 month were conducted from November 2020 to January 2021 among 81 participants. Capillary blood from rounds 1 and 2 was tested for IgG antibodies against spike proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (spike-only assay). During round 2, IgGs reactive to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (nucleocapsid-containing assay) were assessed. Vaccination status at round 2 was determined by self-report. Area under the curve was computed to determine the discriminatory ability of the nucleocapsid-containing assay for identification of recent infection. Participants had a mean age of 40 years (range, 23 to 66 years); 83% were female. Round 1 seroprevalence was 9.5%. Before round 2 testing, 46% reported vaccination. Among those not recently infected, in comparing vaccinated vs unvaccinated individuals, elevated levels of spike 1 (P<.001) and spike 2 (P=.01) were observed, whereas nucleocapsid levels were not statistically significantly different (P=.90). Among all participants, nucleocapsid response predicted recent infection with an area under the curve of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.88 to 0.99). Among individuals vaccinated more than 10 days before antibody testing, the specificity of the nucleocapsid-containing assay was 92%, whereas the specificity of the spike-only assay was 0%. An IgG assay identifying reactivity to nucleocapsid protein is an accurate predictor of natural infection among a partially vaccinated population, whereas a spike-only assay performed poorly.

Ongoing Refinement and Innovation in the Data Collection Protocols of the Third Round of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.

OBJECTIVES: The third round (R3) of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative, longitudinal survey of community-residing older adults, consisted of 4,777 in-person interviews and 6,100 completed visits to households to identify newly eligible respondents. It revisited respondents from the first rounds (Cohort 1), born in the years 1920 through 1947, and added new respondents (Cohort 2) born in the years 1948 through 1965. Coresidential romantic partners of both cohorts were also eligible. Data collection included in-person questionnaires, up to 11 biomeasures, and a self-administered, postinterview paper questionnaire. METHODS: Questionnaire domains included social network and social support, elder mistreatment, physical health, cognitive function, romantic partners and sexuality, fertility and menopause, mental health, and employment and finances. Biomeasure collection included height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate, timed walk, balance, chair stands, smell, saliva passive drool in a tube (cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone), dried blood spots (C-reactive protein, Epstein-Barr virus antibodies, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], total cholesterol), and accelerometry (sleep patterns and physical activity). A brief questionnaire also collected data on respondents who were deceased or in too poor health to participate. RESULTS: Measures such as response and cooperation rates are provided to evaluate the design and implementation. DISCUSSION: This article describes innovation in the development and implementation of R3, the recruitment of a new cohort of respondents, and fidelity to prior rounds' study design and data collection procedures.

Identification of natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in seroprevalence studies among vaccinated populations.

IMPORTANCE: Identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection via antibody assays is important for monitoring natural infection rates. Most antibody assays cannot distinguish natural infection from vaccination. OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of a nucleocapsid-containing assay in identifying natural infection among vaccinated individuals. DESIGN: A longitudinal cohort comprised of healthcare workers (HCW) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area was enrolled. Two rounds of seroprevalence studies separated by one month were conducted from 11/2020-1/2021. Capillary blood from round 1 and 2 was tested for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins with a qualitative chemiluminescent ELISA (spike-only assay). In a subsample of participants (n=82) at round 2, a second assay was performed that measured IgGs reactive to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (nucleocapsid-containing assay). Round 1 biospecimen collections occurred prior to vaccination in all participants. Vaccination status at round 2 was determined via self-report. SETTING: The Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: HCW age 18-80 years. EXPOSURES: Round 1 recent SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed via a spike-only assay and participant self-report. OUTCOMES: Round 2 SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed via the nucleocapsid-containing assay. Area under the curve (AUC) was computed to determine the discriminatory ability of round 2 IgG reactivity to nucleocapsid for identification of recent infection determined during round 1. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 40 (range=23-66) years, 83% were female, 46% reported vaccination prior to the round 2 testing. Round 1 seroprevalence was 9.5%. Among those not recently infected, when comparing vaccinated vs. unvaccinated individuals, elevated levels of spike 1 (p<0.001) and spike 2 (p=0.01) were observed while nucleocapsid levels were not statistically significantly different (p=0.90). Among all participants, nucleocapsid response predicted recent infection with an AUC(95%CI) of 0.93(0.88,0.99). Among individuals vaccinated >10 days prior to antibody testing, the specificity of the nucleocapsid-containing assay was 92% and while the specificity of the spike-only assay was 0%. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: An IgG assay identifying reactivity to nucleocapsid protein is an accurate predictor of natural infection among vaccinated individuals while a spike-only assay performed poorly. In the era of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, seroprevalence studies monitoring natural infection will require assays that do not rely on spike-protein response alone.

Sexually transmitted disease clinics in the United States: Understanding the needs of patients and the capabilities of providers.

Reports of bacterial sexually transmitted infections are at the highest levels ever reported in the United States, and state and local budgetary issues are placing specialized sexually transmitted disease (STD) care at risk. This study collected information from 4138 patients seeking care at 26 STD clinics in large metropolitan areas across the United States with high levels of reported STDs to determine patient needs and clinic capabilities. Surveys were provided to patients attending these STD clinics to assess their demographic information as well as reasons for coming to the clinic and surveys were also provided to clinic administrators to determine their operational capacities and services provided by the clinic. For this initial study, we conducted univariate analyses to report all data collected from these surveys. Patients attending STD clinics across the country indicated that they do so because of the relative ease of getting an appointment; including walk-in and same-day appointments as well as the welcoming environment and expertise of the staff at the clinic. Additionally, STD clinics provide specialized care to patients; including HIV testing and counseling as well as on-site, injectable medications for the treatment of gonorrhea and syphilis in an environment that helps to reduce the role of stigma in seeking this kind of care. Sexually transmitted disease clinics continue to play an important role in helping to curb the rising epidemic of sexually transmitted infections.

Capital jurors, mental illness, and the unreliability principle: Can capital jurors comprehend and account for evidence of mental illness?

Recent U.S. Supreme Court opinions have given rise to the question of whether persons suffering from a severe mental illness should be categorically exempt from the death penalty. This article presents a brief overview of relevant U.S. Supreme Court cases and the empirical evidence relevant to this question. We then present our findings on how actual capital jurors respond to and discuss engaging with evidence of mental illness, as drawn from in-depth interviews collected as part of the Capital Jury Project. Existing research reveals that in the controlled situation of an experiment, evidence of mental illness is associated with votes for life rather than death. Similarly, actual capital jurors in our study reported anticipating that evidence of mental illness would make them less likely to vote for death. However, those jurors who dealt with mental illness in their case appeared to be less sensitive: they describe such evidence as having been overshadowed by the brutality of the crime; as indicative of the defendant's future dangerousness; as being confusing, especially as presented by experts; and as a manipulative attempt on the part of the defendant to trick the jurors. The findings suggest that capital jurors cannot reliably comprehend and account for evidence of mental illness and thus offer a compelling reason for the Court to exempt those suffering from a mental illness from the death penalty.