tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Sci Rep
. 2026 Feb 2;16(1):4334.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-37108-7.
Nationwide cross-sectional study results on long-term care and SARS-CoV-2 infection among older adults in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ana Magdalena Ordonez-Cruickshank[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hannelore Neuhauser[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Arina Zanuzdana[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Christina Poethko-Müller[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 3 [/SUP], Beate Gaertner[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Judith Fuchs[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
This study investigates determinants of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection, addressing a gap in understanding how social and care-related factors are associated with infection risk among older people. We analyzed the baseline wave of "Gesundheit 65+", a German nationwide population-registry survey. This wave was performed between June 2021 and April 2022, with a sample of 3450 participants aged 65 to 100 living in private households. SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence was 3.5% (95% confidence interval, CI 2.6-4.5), slightly higher among those aged 85+, and higher among those receiving home care, and not having double vaccination. We identified with multivariable logistic regression that not having double vaccination (odds ratio, OR = 9.72; CI 4.81-19.61), receiving in-person visits (OR = 2.96; CI 1.12-7.80), and not living alone (OR = 1.96; CI 1.02-3.76) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but receiving formal or informal care at home, and participating in work and social activities were not. Our results emphasize the importance of vaccination and caution during in-person interactions. Despite receiving formal or informal care at home implying close personal contact, we did not detect increased infection risk in those receiving care at home.
Keywords: Aged; COVID-19; Home care; Long-term care; Risk factors.
. 2026 Feb 2;16(1):4334.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-37108-7.
Nationwide cross-sectional study results on long-term care and SARS-CoV-2 infection among older adults in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic
Ana Magdalena Ordonez-Cruickshank[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Hannelore Neuhauser[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Arina Zanuzdana[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Christina Poethko-Müller[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 3 [/SUP], Beate Gaertner[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Judith Fuchs[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 41629515
- PMCID: PMC12865030
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-37108-7
This study investigates determinants of self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection, addressing a gap in understanding how social and care-related factors are associated with infection risk among older people. We analyzed the baseline wave of "Gesundheit 65+", a German nationwide population-registry survey. This wave was performed between June 2021 and April 2022, with a sample of 3450 participants aged 65 to 100 living in private households. SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence was 3.5% (95% confidence interval, CI 2.6-4.5), slightly higher among those aged 85+, and higher among those receiving home care, and not having double vaccination. We identified with multivariable logistic regression that not having double vaccination (odds ratio, OR = 9.72; CI 4.81-19.61), receiving in-person visits (OR = 2.96; CI 1.12-7.80), and not living alone (OR = 1.96; CI 1.02-3.76) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but receiving formal or informal care at home, and participating in work and social activities were not. Our results emphasize the importance of vaccination and caution during in-person interactions. Despite receiving formal or informal care at home implying close personal contact, we did not detect increased infection risk in those receiving care at home.
Keywords: Aged; COVID-19; Home care; Long-term care; Risk factors.