Does COVID-19 trigger changes in attitudes and behaviour of respiratory infection prevention measures? First results of health-care-associated influenza prevention project (HAIP)

Introduction: Results of the HaIP showed that during the last influenza seasons attitudes and adherence with infection preventive measures against the transmission of influenza remained stable. Objectives: To describe changes in attitudes and behaviour of health care worker (HCW) in infection prevention measures (wearing mask, hand hygiene, Influenza vaccination) during winter season before and after COVID-19. Methods: We collected data on 3 pilot wards during Influenzaseason 19/20 and 20/21 in the cantonal hospital of St.Gallen, a tertiary 700-bed hospital in eastern Switzerland. Adherence with hand hygiene was recorded by clean care monitor from Swissnoso according to the 5 moments (WHO). Data on Influenza and COVID- 19 vaccination rates were obtained by personal medical services. HCW's perceived importance of- and self-reported behaviour of influenza preventive measures were assessed with a questionnaire. In 20/21 the questions were adapted to cover for COVID-19. Results: Observed adherence with hand hygiene increased significantly from 68 to 78% (p < 0.001) as did self-reported adherence to wearing mask from 10 to 98% (p < 0.001). The other observed behaviours where not significant (table1a). Influenza vaccination rate reminded low over both seasons. Self-reported and observed Covid-19 vaccination rate was significantly higher than influenzavaccination rate (32% versus 17% and 27% versus 10%). The perceived importance of hand hygiene remained high, the attitudes toward own influenza vaccination did not change over the seasons(Table1b). A relevant change can be observed in mask wearing which was perceived as with low importance(2 out of 10) before the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and most important(10out of10) thereafter. Conclusion: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic had an important impact on attitudes and behaviour of infectious disease prevention measures. As expected the change could be perceived in attitude and the behaviour toward wearing a mask but also increased the adherence with hand hygiene. Vaccination coverage has been and remains low for both COVID-19 and Influenza but the significantly lower readiness for influenza underscores the specific vaccination scepticism about influenza.