Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and socio-occupational profile of delivery riders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION

We assessed the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and associated socio-occupational factors among delivery riders from a Brazilian city at two time points during the pandemic.

METHODOLOGY: Surveys for antibody and viral RNA testing were conducted from November 2020 to January 2021, and from March to May 2021 in a group of 117 delivery riders. A questionnaire on socio-occupational characteristics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures was completed. Factors associated with prevalence were analyzed using bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of COVID-19 was 15.4% (CI 9.0-23.0). Although not statistically significant, the prevalence was higher in the second phase of the survey (12% (CI 6.0-19.0)) than in the first (5.1% (CI 1.0-10.0)). The seroprevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the second phase of collection (10.3%) than in the first phase (3.4%). There were no statistically significant associations between the social characteristics assessed in the study and prevalence. Five behavioral variables were selected for the final multiple logistic regression model; and only the variable "cleans hands" had a significant association with the outcome, indicating that those who cleaned their hands had lower occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence among delivery riders was high and they were potentially exposed to risk of infection. Occupational activity and individual prevention behavior were better determinants of infection than social differences. It is necessary to take specific public measures for this group, especially during outbreaks of communicable diseases such as COVID-19.