The Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up eCohort to Monitor Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Switzerland: Study Protocol and First Results

Publication

The Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up eCohort to Monitor Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Switzerland: Study Protocol and First Results

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 28, 2022

Speierer Alexandre, Baysson Hélène, Lorthe Elsa, Pennacchio Francesco, Frei Anja, Kaufmann Marco, Geigges Marco, West Erin Ashley, Schwab Nathalie, Cullati Stéphane, Chiolero Arnaud, Kahlert Christian, Stringhini Silvia, Vollrath Fabian, Probst-Hensch Nicole, Rodondi Nicolas, Puhan Milo A, Salberg Éric, Tall Ismaël, d'Acremont Valérie, Chocano-Bedoya Patricia O, Anker Daniela, Schmid Alexia, Keidel Dirk, Vermes Thomas, Imboden Medea, Levati Sara, Franscella Giovanni, Corna Laurie, Amati Rebecca, Harju Erika, Luedi Chantal, Michel Gisela, Veys-Takeuchi Caroline, Zuppinger Claire, Nusslé Semira Gonseth, von Wyl Viktor

Citation

Speierer A, Baysson H, Lorthe E, Pennacchio F, Frei A, Kaufmann M, Geigges M, West E, Schwab N, Cullati S, Chiolero A, Kahlert C, Stringhini S, Vollrath F, Probst-Hensch N, Rodondi N, Puhan M, Salberg É, Tall I, d'Acremont V, Chocano-Bedoya P, Anker D, Schmid A, Keidel D, Vermes T, Imboden M, Levati S, Franscella G, Corna L, Amati R, Harju E, Luedi C, Michel G, Veys-Takeuchi C, Zuppinger C, Nusslé S, von Wyl V. The Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up eCohort to Monitor Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Switzerland: Study Protocol and First Results. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604506.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Int J Public Health 2022; 67

Publication Date

Feb 28, 2022

Issn Electronic

1661-8564

Pages

1604506

Brief description/objective

To describe the rationale, organization, and procedures of the Corona Immunitas Digital Follow-Up (CI-DFU) eCohort and to characterize participants at baseline. Participants of Corona Immunitas, a population-based nationwide SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study in Switzerland, were invited to join the CI-DFU eCohort in 11 study centres. Weekly online questonnaires cover health status changes, prevention measures adherence, and social impacts. Monthly questionnaires cover additional prevention adherence, contact tracing apps use, vaccination and vaccine hesitancy, and socio-economic changes. We report data from the 5 centres that enrolled in the CI-DFU between June and October 2020 (covering Basel City/Land, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Ticino, Zurich). As of February 2021, 4636 participants were enrolled and 85,693 weekly and 27,817 monthly questionnaires were collected. Design-based oversampling led to overrepresentation of individuals aged 65+ years. People with higher education and income were more likely to enroll and be retained. Broad enrolment and robust retention of participants enables scientifically sound monitoring of pandemic impacts, prevention, and vaccination progress. The CI-DFU eCohort demonstrates proof-of-principle for large-scale, federated eCohort study designs based on jointly agreed principles and transparent governance.