Population-based correlates of COVID-19 infection: An analysis from the DFW COVID-19 prevalence study

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 has resulted in over 1 million deaths in the U.S. as of June 2022, with continued surges after vaccine availability. Information on related attitudes and behaviors are needed to inform public health strategies. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19, risk factors of infection, and related attitudes and behaviors in a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse urban population.

METHODS

The DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study Protocol 1 was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 on a randomly selected sample of adults aged 18-89 years, living in Dallas or Tarrant Counties, Texas. Participants were asked to complete a 15-minute questionnaire and COVID-19 PCR and antibody testing. COVID-19 prevalence estimates were calculated with survey-weighted data.

RESULTS

Of 2969 adults who completed the questionnaire (7.4% weighted response), 1772 (53.9% weighted) completed COVID-19 testing. Overall, 11.5% of adults had evidence of COVID-19 infection, with a higher prevalence among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black persons, essential workers, those in low-income neighborhoods, and those with lower education attainment compared to their counterparts. We observed differences in attitudes and behaviors by race and ethnicity, with non-Hispanic White persons being less likely to believe in the importance of mask wearing, and racial and ethnic minorities more likely to attend social gatherings.

CONCLUSION

Over 10% of an urban population was infected with COVID-19 early during the pandemic. Differences in attitudes and behaviors likely contribute to sociodemographic disparities in COVID-19 prevalence.

Milk secretory response of the conscious lactating rat following intravenous injections of rat prolactin

Mammary glands of rats on day 14 of lactation were emptied of milk by the pups after 8 h of nonsuckling with the aid of oxytocin injections to the mother. The glands subsequently refilled about 50% within 6 h and were completely refilled with mild within 16 h. Suckling for 5 min midway during the 8 h period of nonsuckling caused complete refilling of the glands within 6 h. Refilling within 6 h also occurred if, instead of suckling, rat prolactin was injected at 1 min intervals directly into the circulation of the conscious mother via an indwelling right atrial catheter. Five injections of 200 ng or three injections of 400 ng were without effect (in comparison with five injections of saline) upon mammary refilling whereas 10 injections of 200 ng or four injections of 400 ng simulated significant but submaximal refilling. Complete refilling resulted from five injections of 400 ng. Prolactin is secreted steadily over prolonged periods of suckling in the rat, but only that prolactin released during the first few minutes of suckling appears to be required for milk secretion.