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Observational Study
. 2021 Sep 22;18(19):9972.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18199972.

The First Random Observational Survey of Barrier Gestures against COVID-19

Véronique Renault  1 , Marie-France Humblet  2 , Gianni Parisi  1 , Anne-Françoise Donneau  3 , Fabrice Bureau  4 , Laurent Gillet  5 , Sébastien Fontaine  6 , Claude Saegerman  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

The First Random Observational Survey of Barrier Gestures against COVID-19

Véronique Renault et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

In the context of COVID-19 in Belgium, face-to-face teaching activities were allowed in Belgian universities at the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year. Nevertheless, several control measures were established to control COVID-19 transmission on the campuses. To ensure compliance with these measures, a random observational survey, based on five barrier gestures, was implemented at the University of Liege (greetings without contact, hand sanitisation, following a one-way traffic flow, wearing a mask and physical distancing). Each barrier gesture was weighted, based on experts' elicitation, and a scoring system was developed. The results were presented as a diagram (to identify the margin of improvement for each barrier gesture) and a risk management barometer. In total, 526 h of observations were performed. The study revealed that some possible improvements could be made in the management of facilities, in terms of room allocation, the functionality of hydro-alcoholic gel dispensers, floor markings and one-way traffic flow. Compliance with the barrier gestures reached an overall weighted score of 68.2 (between 0 and 100). Three barrier gestures presented a lower implementation rate and should be addressed: the use of hydro-alcoholic gel (particularly when exiting buildings), compliance with the traffic flow and the maintenance of a 1.5 m physical distance outside of the auditoriums. The methodology and tool developed in the present study can easily be applied to other settings. They were proven to be useful in managing COVID-19, as the barometer that was developed and the outcomes of this survey enabled an improved risk assessment on campuses, and identified the critical points to be addressed in any further public health communication or education messages.

Keywords: Belgium; COVID-19; barometer; barrier gestures; compliance; observation; prevention; student.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Graphical abstract presenting the feeding of the risk management barometer.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Median compliance with barrier gestures, scale from 0 to 100 (95% confidence interval).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Expert opinion on the weight of the different barrier gestures (A) and their degree of certainty (B). TF: traffic flow, GR: greetings without contact, HAG: usage of hydro-alcoholic gel (hand sanitisation), PDIA: physical distancing inside the auditoriums, PDOA: physical distancing outside the auditoriums, WM: wearing a mask.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Overall weighted score (range: 0 to 100). The scale was arbitrarily divided into three parts: red—overall weighted score less than 50; yellow—overall weighted score between 50 and 66; green—overall weighted score above 66.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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