Behavioral and personal characteristics associated with risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Spanish university cohort

Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the life habits and personal factors associated with an increased SARS-CoV-2 risk in a university environment with in-person lectures during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no previous longitudinal studies that have analyzed behavioral and personal factors with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection on an entire university population. A cohort study was conducted in the three campuses of the University of Navarra between August 24th 2020 and May 30th 2021, including 14,496 students and employees. 10,959 participants were finally included. Descriptive and multivariate adjusted models were performed using Cox regression. A total of 1,032 (9.4%) participants were diagnosed with COVID-19 (879 students, 153 employees), almost 50% living with their family. COVID-19 was associated with living in college or residence (HR:1.96 CI 95% 1.45 to 2.63), motor transportation (HR:1.36 CI 95% 1.14 to 1.62), South American origin (HR:1.41 CI 95% 1.17 to 1.69) and belonging to Madrid’s campus (HR:3.15 CI 95% 2.50 to 3.97). In conclusion, international students, especially from Latin America, mostly lived in university apartments or shared flats and cohabited with 4-11 people. Living in a big city (Madrid), was a significant risk factor.