Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2023 Apr;14(2):110-118. 10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0002.

COVID-19 outbreak in a religious village community in Republic of Korea and risk factors for transmission

• Shim J
• Lee E
• Kim E
• Choi Y
• Kang G
• Kim BI

• KMID: 2542101
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0002

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to assess the scale and transmission patterns of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a religious village community in South Korea, to determine the risk factors of transmission, and to evaluate vaccine effectiveness.
Methods
An epidemiological survey was conducted, and data were collected and analyzed from 602 villagers in the religious village community. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for COVID-19 transmission and to evaluate vaccine effectiveness.
Results
The outbreak attack rate was 72.1% (434/602). The attack rate was high among women in their 60s, the unemployed, residents living near religious facility (<500 m), and the unvaccinated. Age, the distance between religious facility and residences, and the absence of vaccination were identified as risk factors for infection. Vaccine effectiveness was 49.0%, and the highest effectiveness was seen in the age group of 59 years or younger (65.8%).
Conclusion
This village community was isolated, with little communication with the outside world. However, the frequency of close contact between residents was relatively high, contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in the village even with relatively short exposure. Vaccination rates in the village community were also lower than those in the general public. Public health authorities should consider the potential impact of cultural factors, including religion, that could lead to the exponential spread of COVID-19 in closed village communities.

Keyword

COVID-19; Disease outbreaks; Religion; Vaccine effectiveness