Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was a major public health challenge globally and in Ghana. To prepare better for future pandemics, an evidence-based understanding of the determinants of the coronavirus disease is essential to inform public health guidelines and surveillance. Thus, we identified the factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in Hohoe Municipality. We conducted a facility-based, sex and age-matched (1:2) case-control study. Cases were persons with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or rapid antigen test, while controls tested negative with the same techniques. Data on sociodemographic, clinical, and exposure-related factors were collected through structured interviews. We employed a conditional regression model to establish the factors independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection using Stata version 17.0. All statistical tests were two-sided, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 234 participants were enrolled (78 cases, 156 controls). The mean age of the cases and controls was 39.7±(14.6) and 39.4±(14.4) years, respectively. Moderate/high levels of social interaction increased the odds of infection (aOR=3.00, 95% CI:1.05–8.56, p=0.040). Having no underlying health condition (aOR=0.25, 95% CI:0.09–0.65, p=0.004) and regular physical activity or exercise (aOR=0.18, 95% CI:0.04–0.70, p=0.014) reduced the risk of infection. Moderate/high level of social interaction was associated with increased odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and having no underlying condition and frequent exercise/physical activity was protective. Public health interventions should therefore prioritize strengthening community awareness about the risks of close social interactions and the benefits of healthy lifestyles, including regular physical activity.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

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University of Health and Allied Sciences Research Ethics Committee, Ho, Volta Region Email: recuhas.edu.gh Ghana Health Service Ethics Review Committee Tel: +233559886678 /+233503539896 Email: ethics.researchghs.gov.gh

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