We aimed to investigate the immunoglobulin G response and neutralizing activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among primary health care workers (PHCW) in France and assess the association between the neutralizing activity and several factors, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination scheme. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 10 May 2021 and 31 August 2021. Participants underwent capillary blood sampling and completed a questionnaire. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein and the S-1 portion of the spike (S) protein and neutralizing antibodies. In total, 1612 PHCW were included. The overall seroprevalences were: 23.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 21.6–25.7%) for antibodies against the N protein, 94.7% (93.6–95.7%) for antibodies against the S protein, and 81.3% (79.4–83.2%) for neutralizing antibodies. Multivariate regression analyses showed that detection of neutralizing antibodies was significantly more likely in PHCW with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection than in those with no such history among the unvaccinated (odds ratio (OR) 16.57, 95% CI 5.96–59.36) and those vaccinated with one vaccine dose (OR 41.66, 95% CI 16.05–120.78). Among PHCW vaccinated with two vaccine doses, the detection of neutralizing antibodies was not significantly associated with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.86–2.07), but was more likely in those that received their second vaccine dose within the three months before study entry than in those vaccinated more than three months earlier (OR 5.28, 95% CI 3.51–8.23). This study highlights that previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and the time since vaccination should be considered when planning booster doses and the design of COVID-19 vaccine strategies.

Background: The protocol study will focus on the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection as well as the history, symptoms, and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 in four primary health-care workers (PHCWs) and their household contacts in metropolitan France. Methods: Here, we propose a protocol for a nationwide survey to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection in four PHCW populations (general practitioners, pediatricians, pharmacists and assistants, and dentists and assistants) and their household contacts. Participants will be included from June to July 2021 (Phase 1) among PHCW populations located throughout metropolitan France. They will be asked to provide a range of demographic and behavioral information since the first SARS-CoV-2 wave and a self-sampled dried blood spot. Phase 1 will involve also a questionnaire and serological study of PHCWs’ household contacts. Seroprevalence will be estimated using two ELISAs designed to detect specific IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in humoral fluid, and these results will be confirmed using a virus neutralization test. This study will be repeated from November to December 2021 (Phase 2) to evaluate the evolution of immune status achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection of PHCWs and to describe the history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Data on the SARS-CoV-2 infection among primary health care workers (PHCWs) are scarce but essential to reflect on policy regarding prevention and control measures. We assessed the prevalence of PHCWs who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with modeling from the general population in metropolitan France, and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among general practitioners (GPs), pediatricians, dental and pharmacy workers in primary care between May and August 2021. Participants volunteered to provide a dried-blood spot for SARS-CoV-2 antibody assessment and completed a questionnaire. The primary outcome was defined as the detection of infection-induced antibodies (anti-nucleocapsid IgG, and for non-vaccinees: anti-Spike IgG and neutralizing antibodies) or previous self-reported infection (positive RT-qPCR or antigenic test, or positive ELISA test before vaccination). Estimates were adjusted using weights for representativeness and compared with prediction from the general population. Poisson regressions were used to quantify associated factors. The analysis included 1612 PHCWs. Weighted prevalences were: 31.7% (95% CI 27.5–36.0) for GPs, 28.7% (95% CI 24.4–33.0) for pediatricians, 25.2% (95% CI 20.6–31.0) for dentists, and 25.5% (95% CI 18.2–34.0) for pharmacists. Estimates were compatible with model predictions for the general population. PHCWs more likely to be infected were: GPs compared to pharmacist assistants (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.26; CI 95% 1.01–5.07), those living in Île-de-France (aPR = 1.53; CI 95% 1.14–2.05), South-East (aPR = 1.57; CI 95% 1.19–2.08), North-East (aPR = 1.81; CI 95% 1.38–2.37), and those having an unprotected contact with a COVID-19 case within the household (aPR = 1.48; CI 95% 1.22–1.80). Occupational factors were not associated with infection. In conclusion, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure for PHCWs was more likely to have occurred in the community rather than at their workplace.

Background: Most studies published to date have investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal acts using hospital data. Trends from primary care in a country such as France are crucial, as individuals may not consult hospital services after suicide attempts (SAs) but rather see their general practitioner (GP). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate whether the incidence and characteristics of SAs and completed suicides (CSs) reported to French GPs were different during the COVID-19 pandemic than those of before. Methods and findings: We conducted a retrospective observational study using data from a nationwide monitoring system, the French Sentinel Network (FSN). All SAs and CSs reported by GPs to the FSN from January 1, 2010, to March 10, 2022 were included. The annual incidence rates (IRs) and the characteristics of SAs and CSs during the pandemic (March 11, 2020, to March 10, 2022) were compared to those of before. In total, 687 SAs and 169 CSs were included. The IRs remained stable for SAs and CSs before and during the pandemic (overlap in confidence intervals). The mean IRs were 52 (95%CI = 44; 57) per 100,000 inhabitants for SAs during the pandemic versus 47 [36; 57] during the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.49), and 5 (95%CI = 2; 9) for CSs versus 11 [6; 16] (p = 0.30). During the pandemic, SA were slightly different from those before in terms of age and occupational status (young/students and older/retirees over-represented), history of consultation and expression of suicidal ideas to GP (more frequent), and CS in terms of occupational status (students over-represented) (p<0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had no major effect on the overall incidence of SAs and CSs reported to French GPs. However, more suicidal acts were reported among younger and older individuals. Suicidal patients and GPs have adapted by improving the expression of suicidal ideas.

This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection within the staff and student populations of the University of Corsica (France) during the second wave of the epidemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 23 November 2020 to 31 January 2021. The participants underwent blood sampling using a fingerstick procedure and completed an anonymized questionnaire. Sera were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (ELISA-S) and, if positive, with an in-house virus neutralization test (VNT). Results: A total of 418 persons were included in the study. The overall seroprevalence was 12.8% (95% confidence interval (CI), 9.8–16.6%). A total of 15 (31%) of the 49 individuals who had a positive ELISA-S also had a positive VNT. Seropositivity was associated with living at the city campus during the week and on weekends (OR = 3.74 [1.40–12.00]), using public transportation/carpooling (OR = 2.00 [1.01–4.02]), and being in contact with a person who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (OR = 2.32 [1.20–4.40]). The main symptoms associated with seropositivity were “having had an acute respiratory infection” (OR = 3.05 [1.43–6.43]) and “experiencing loss of smell” (OR = 16.4 [5.87–50.7]). Conclusion: These results could be useful for SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control on university campuses.

La pandémie de Covid-19 a été associée à une augmentation des troubles mentaux fréquents, incluant les troubles anxieux et dépressifs, ainsi qu'à une augmentation des actes suicidaires (tentatives de suicide et suicides) chez certaines populations, en particulier les jeunes femmes. La prise en charge de ces troubles allie psychothérapie et pharmacothérapie, médecine générale et soins spécialisés avec des enjeux majeurs de recours aux soins. Le projet de thèse complète les études menées en phase aiguë de la pandémie par une double approche. Il vise d'abord à décrire l'évolution des suicides et tentatives de suicide durant la pandémie à partir de données issues de la médecine générale : 1) évaluer si leurs taux d'incidence et caractéristiques différaient durant les deux premières années de la pandémie (2020-2021) comparés à avant (2010-2019), 2) étudier les tendances par groupe d'âge et de sexe sur une plus vaste période de 2010 à 2024. Il vise également à identifier les facteurs associés au recours à la psychothérapie et à la pharmacothérapie pour troubles mentaux fréquents en population générale durant la pandémie : 3) estimer la prévalence du recours et comparer les caractéristiques des nouveaux utilisateurs à celles des anciens utilisateurs ; 4) décrire le rôle des facteurs de besoins, prédisposants, facilitants, selon le modèle d'Andersen, sur les initiations.Des analyses ont été menées à partir des données du réseau Sentinelles en médecine générale, et de l'étude PopPsy, étude transversale en population générale réalisée en 2022. Les résultats sont : 1) Durant les deux premières années de pandémie, les taux d'incidence des actes suicidaires rapportés par les médecins généralistes sont globalement restés stables comparés à avant. Les suicidants étaient plus fréquemment jeunes (<25 ans) ou âgés (≥65 ans), étudiants, retraités, avec davantage d'antécédents de consultation et d'expression d'idées suicidaires, tandis que les suicidés étaient plus souvent étudiants. 2) Entre 2010 et 2024, les tendances des taux d'incidence des actes suicidaires rapportés par les médecins généralistes varient en fonction du sexe et de l'âge. Une augmentation des taux de tentatives de suicide a été observée chez les jeunes (<25 ans) et les plus âgés (≥65 ans), quel que soit le sexe et débutée entre 2011 et 2018 selon les groupes. 3) Dans la population générale en avril 2022, 26,1% des adultes utilisait un traitement pour troubles mentaux fréquents (16,0 % psychothérapie ; 18,0 % pharmacothérapie). Les nouveaux utilisateurs de psychothérapie déclaraient plus fréquemment une dégradation de leur santé mentale durant la pandémie et un antécédent de Covid-19 symptomatique et moins de difficultés financières. Les nouveaux utilisateurs de pharmacothérapie étaient plus souvent des femmes, rapportaient davantage une dégradation de leur santé mentale durant la pandémie, et utilisaient moins de substances psychoactives. 4) L'initiation de psychothérapie était directement associée à la santé mentale perçue ainsi qu'à des facteurs facilitants comme l'emploi et les activités de relaxation, tandis que l'initiation de la pharmacothérapie était liée à des besoins de santé évalués, au sexe féminin et à l'utilisation de médicaments en vente libre. Les facteurs facilitants, incluant des facteurs socio-économiques, agissaient indirectement sur le recours au traitement principalement à travers l'état de santé mentale perçu.Les augmentations observées des tentatives de suicide aux âges extrêmes, amorcées avant la pandémie pour les deux sexes, soulignent l'importance de maintenir une surveillance épidémiologique et d'intégrer les facteurs pré-pandémiques dans les stratégies de prévention. Par ailleurs, les différences de facteurs impliqués dans le recours à la psychothérapie et à la pharmacothérapie rappellent la nécessité de lever les obstacles financiers et de renforcer la littératie en santé mentale, en particulier auprès des populations les plus défavorisées.