An Updated Analysis on the Risk Factors Associated with COVID-19 Transmission

Zafar Rasheed; Homaidan Alhomaidan; Ali Shariq; Mohammad Alkhowailed; Fuhaid Alqossayir; Naila Rasheed; Abdullah Alkhamiss; Ruqaih Alghsham; Almonther Hershan; Sami Alharbi; Suliman Alsagaby; Sharifa Alduraibi; Sami H. Alharbi; Waleed Al Abdulmonem

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.7900

Authors

Zafar Rasheed Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8651-4218
Homaidan Alhomaidan Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Ali Shariq Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad Alkhowailed Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
Fuhaid Alqossayir Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Naila Rasheed Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Alkhamiss Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Ruqaih Alghsham Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Almonther Hershan The University of Jeddah, College of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Sami Alharbi Pulmonary Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Ministry of Health, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Suliman Alsagaby Department of Medical Laboratories, Central Biosciences Research Laboratories, College of Science in Al Zulfi, Majmaah University, Al Majma’ah, Saudi Arabia
Sharifa Alduraibi Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Sami H. Alharbi Department of Medicine, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Ministry of Health, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Waleed Al Abdulmonem Department of Pathology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8651-4218

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.7900

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Risk factors, Infection spreading

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health disaster and knowledge of its associated risk factors provides protection/slowdown against its transmission.

AIM: This study was undertaken to investigate all major risk factors associated with transmission of the COVID-19 infection.

METHODS: The data on the risk associated factors for the COVID-19 transmission were collected from the Texas Medical Association, Center for Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organization, and Health and Safety Executive. The collected data were combined, analyzed, and presented as percentage mean ± SD.

RESULTS: The collective data showed that among games such as playing football and basketball are highly risky followed by swimming in public pool and playing at the beach. Whereas, playing golf and tennis are not risky (p < 0.05). Moreover, the carryout food from the restaurants is much safer as compared with eating at buffet, in restaurants (p < 0.01). The data on social gathering showed that religious places, sports stadium, music concert, cinema halls, amusement parks, attending funerals, and wedding showed a higher risk of spreading COVID-19. The data on general outing showed that going to gymnasium, traveling by bus or plane, and visiting in salon are highly risky (p < 0.01) for COVID-19 infection. Moreover, hugging, shaking hands, and kissing are also highly risky for the COVID-19 infection.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the collective information on the risk factors associated with the COVID-19 transmission. The findings can contribute to the concerned authorities to formulate the preventive measures to limit spread of the COVID-19 infection.

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