Work at inpatient care units is associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; a cross-sectional study of 8679 healthcare workers in Sweden

ObjectiveTo determine the rates of asymptomatic viral carriage and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers.DesignA cross-sectional study of asymptomatic healthcare workers undertaken on 24/25 April 2020.SettingUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT), UK.Participants545 asymptomatic healthcare workers were recruited while at work. Participants were invited to participate via the UHBFT social media. Exclusion criteria included current symptoms consistent with COVID-19. No potential participants were excluded.InterventionParticipants volunteered a nasopharyngeal swab and a venous blood sample that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antibodies, respectively. Results were interpreted in the context of prior illnesses and the hospital departments in which participants worked.Main outcome measureProportion of participants demonstrating infection and positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.ResultsThe point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 viral carriage was 2.4% (n=13/545). The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 24.4% (n=126/516). Participants who reported prior symptomatic illness had higher seroprevalence (37.5% vs 17.1%, χ2=21.1034, p<0.0001) and quantitatively greater antibody responses than those who had remained asymptomatic. Seroprevalence was greatest among those working in housekeeping (34.5%), acute medicine (33.3%) and general internal medicine (30.3%), with lower rates observed in participants working in intensive care (14.8%). BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) ethnicity was associated with a significantly increased risk of seropositivity (OR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.23, p=0.01). Working on the intensive care unit was associated with a significantly lower risk of seropositivity compared with working in other areas of the hospital (OR: 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.78, p=0.02).Conclusions and relevanceWe identify differences in the occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 between hospital departments and confirm asymptomatic seroconversion occurs in healthcare workers. Further investigation of these observations is required to inform future infection control and occupational health practices.

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Seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody in healthcare workers: a multicentre cross-sectional study in 10 Colombian cities

Occupational and Environmental Medicine ◽

10.1136/oemed-2021-107487 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. oemed-2021-107487

Author(s):

Jeadran Nevardo Malagón-Rojas ◽

Marcela Mercado-Reyes ◽

Yezith G Toloza-Pérez ◽

Eliana L Parra Barrera ◽

Marien Palma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Strong Association ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Automated Immunoassay

BackgroundHealthcare workers are at increased risk of infection due to occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers in Colombia.MethodsThis study is a cross-sectional study focused on estimating the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers from 65 hospitals in 10 cities in Colombia during the second semester of 2020. The seroprevalence was determined using an automated immunoassay (Abbott SARS-CoV-2 CLIA IgG). The study included a survey to establish the sociodemographic variables and the risk of infection. A multivariate model was used to evaluate the association between the results of seroprevalence and risk factors.ResultsThe global seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 35% (95% Bayesian CI 33% to 37%). All the personnel reported the use of protective equipment. General services personnel and nurses presented the highest ratios of seroprevalence among the healthcare workers. Low socioeconomic strata have shown a strong association with seropositivity.ConclusionThis study estimates the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers. Even though all the personnel reported the use of protective equipment, the seroprevalence in the general services personnel and nurses was high. Also, a significant difference by cities was observed.

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Knowledge, perception and practices regarding novel coronavirus among sample of Ghanaian healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210784 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 1072

Author(s):

Dorcas Serwaa ◽

Anthony Baffour Appiah ◽

Richard Wodag-Seme ◽

Charles Nkansah ◽

Selasie Ahiatrogah

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Precautionary Measures ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Background: Healthcare workers’ have increased risk of contracting the deadly COVID-19 pandemic due to their exposures to infected persons and their specimens. Ghana, like many other countries, has felt the devastating effects of this virus; it was therefore prudent to assess the levels of knowledge, perception and practice of Ghanaian healthcare providers on the current pandemic.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study enlisted 979 healthcare workers’ in Ghana from 1st Apr to 20th Nov, 2020, via self-reported questionnaire. SPSS version 22.0 was used for the analysis. Responses were summarized using frequency and proportions. A chi-square test was utilized to test for association at significant level of p <0.05.Results: Out of the 979 healthcare workers recruited, 56.4% had good knowledge and 59.5% displayed good perception on the novel COVID-19 while 63.1% of them effectively practiced the expected precautionary measures. Age (p=0.001), gender (p=0.034) and profession (p<0.001) significantly affected the practice of precautionary measure among the health personnel. The respondents’ perceptions towards the pandemic were significantly linked to their age (p<0.001), gender (p=0.043), profession (p<0.001), type of occupation (p=0.001) and source of information (p=0.006). Also, knowledge significantly related to good practices but did not influence the perception of HCWs.Conclusions: The current study identifies that more than half of HCWs in Ghana have sufficient knowledge, perception, and practice of precautionary measures; however, it elucidates some significant concerns about the knowledge gap in this COVID-19 outbreak. There is an obvious need for progressive in-service training programs for the health workers to broaden their scopes on the risks and preventive measures.

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Prevalence and Risk Factors of CoronaVac Side Effects: An Independent Cross-Sectional Study among Healthcare Workers in Turkey

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10122629 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2629

Author(s):

Abanoub Riad ◽

Derya Sağıroğlu ◽

Batuhan Üstün ◽

Andrea Pokorná ◽

Jitka Klugarová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Side Effects ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Public Confidence ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a serious threat to mass vaccination strategies that need to be accelerated currently in order to achieve a substantial level of community immunity. Independent (non-sponsored) studies have a great potential to enhance public confidence in vaccines and accelerate their uptake process. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study for the side effects (SE) of CoronaVac was carried out in February 2021 among Turkish healthcare workers who were recently vaccinated. The questionnaire inquired about local and systemic SEs that occurred in the short-term, within four weeks, following vaccination. Results: A total of 780 healthcare workers were included in this study; 62.5% of them experienced at least one SE. Injection site pain (41.5%) was the most common local SE, while fatigue (23.6%), headache (18.7%), muscle pain (11.2%) and joint pain (5.9%) were the common systemic SEs. Female healthcare workers (67.9%) were significantly more affected by local and systemic SEs than male colleagues (51.4%). Younger age, previous infection, and compromised health status (chronic illnesses and regular medicines uptake) can be associated with an increased risk of CoronaVac SEs; Conclusions: The independent research shows a higher prevalence of CoronaVac SEs than what is reported by phase I–III clinical trials. In general, the results of this study confirm the overall safety of CoronaVac and suggest potential risk factors for its SEs. Gender-based differences and SEs distribution among age groups are worth further investigation.

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Prevalence of Seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2 among Health Care Workers in Tertiary COVID-19 Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

JOURNAL FOR CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH ◽

10.7860/jcdr/2021/46817.14599 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jemil S Makadia ◽

Mukesh G Gohel ◽

Chandan Chakrabarti ◽

Jayshree D Pethani

Keyword(s):

Occupational Exposure ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Ancillary Staff ◽

General Service

Introduction: Healthcare Workers (HCW) are at increased risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure to infected patients and contaminated surfaces. Aim: To determine the prevalence of seropositivity against SARS-CoV-2 among HCW in a tertiary COVID-19 designated hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st July to 31st July, 2020 on 1333 HCWs. HCWs included doctors, nurses, lab personnel, general service assistants and ancillary staff who work in hospital. Anti SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies were measured in serum sample by chemiluminescent technique. Results: Prevalence of seropositivity was found in 27.76% (370 out of 1333). It was highest among general service assistant 34.76% (especially among house keeping staff, 43.44%) and lowest among doctors (19.33%). The percentage of seropositivity among asymptomatic HCWs was 24.84%. Conclusion: The percentage of seropositivity among asymptomatic HCWs indicates that a large amount of infection passes asymptomatically. The discrepancy between various job categories might be due to differential occupational exposure and risk, lack of awareness and seriousness regarding transmission and risk of getting infection, various demographic factors like literacy, residential environment, community prevalence etc.

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Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Labor Analgesia amongst healthcare workers and patients: A single center cross sectional study

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.36.icon-suppl.1715 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (ICON-Suppl) ◽

Author(s):

Maher Ali ◽

Syed Farjad Sultan ◽

Anil Kumar ◽

Nida Ghouri

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Antenatal Clinic ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Labor Analgesia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Single Center ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Creative Commons ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Special Supplement

Background and Objective: Childbirth ranks amongst the most painful experiences a woman has to endure. In developing countries issues related to awareness, acceptability and availability of analgesia exist. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices for labor analgesia amongst healthcare workers and patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study conducted at Shaikh Saeed Memorial Campus of The Indus Hospital (TIH), Karachi. The study was performed in November 2016. Two surveys were conducted for this study; one for healthcare workers with patient interaction and second on patients attending their first antenatal clinic. The participants were asked to complete a survey following consent. Results: A total of 71 healthcare workers and 1005 patients participated in the study. Among healthcare workers, 43.7% felt that pain relief should be administered, 14.1% believed analgesia had adverse effects on fetus and 11.3% reported increased risk of cesarean section. Results from patients showed 27.9% were aware of labor analgesia and when informed, 85.2% were willing to have labor analgesia. In 14.1% of patients, labor analgesia was unsupported as they stated being a mother meant to endure pain. Conclusion: There is a wide gap between knowledge and practice of labor analgesia. Healthcare workers have a role in educating women, to be advocates for labor analgesia and to educate patients timely for this service. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1715 How to cite this:Ali M, Sultan SF, Kumar A, Ghouri N. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Labor Analgesia amongst healthcare workers and patients: a single center cross sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. Special Supplement ICON 2020. 2020;36(1):S4-S8. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1715 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers of a teaching hospital in a highly endemic region in the Netherlands after the first wave: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. e051573

Author(s):

Maud Bouwman ◽

Frits van Osch ◽

Francy Crijns ◽

Thera Trienekens ◽

Jannet Mehagnoul-Schipper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo study the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among hospital healthcare workers after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide more knowledge in the understanding of the relationship between infection, symptomatology and source of infection.DesignA cross-sectional study in healthcare workers.SettingNorthern Limburg, the Netherlands.ParticipantsAll employees of VieCuri Medical Center (n=3300) were invited to enrol in current study. In total 2507 healthcare workers participated.InterventionBetween 22 June 2020 and 3 July 2020, participants provided venous blood samples voluntarily, which were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with the Wantai SARS-CoV-2 Ig total ELISA test. Work characteristics, exposure risks and prior symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were gathered through a survey.Main outcome measureProportion of healthcare workers with positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence was 21.1% (n=530/2507). Healthcare workers between 17 and 30 years were more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies compared with participants >30 years. The probability of having SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was comparable for healthcare workers with and without direct patient (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.86 to 2.34) and COVID-19 patient contact (OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.80 to 3.33). On the contrary, exposure to COVID-19 positive coworkers (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.93) and household members (OR 6.09, 95% CI 2.23 to 16.64) was associated with seropositivity. Of those healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 16% (n=85/530) had not experienced any prior COVID-19-related symptoms. Only fever and anosmia were associated with seropositivity (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.55 and OR 10.51, 95% CI 7.86 to 14.07).ConclusionsHealthcare workers caring for hospitalised COVID-19 patients were not at an increased risk of infection, most likely as a result of taking standard infection control measures into consideration. These data show that compliance with infection control measures is essential to control secondary transmission and constrain the spread of the virus.

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PERSONAL ATTITUDES AND MISCONCEPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIANS HAMPER PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION PROGRAMS IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS: INSIGHTS FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

10.26226/morressier.5731f0d6d462b8029237fd3a ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Carlo Signorelli

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Pneumococcal Vaccination ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccination Programs ◽

Occupational Physicians ◽

Personal Attitudes

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Psychosocial Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Dentistry and Oral Sciences ◽

10.37191/mapsci-2582-3736-2(4)-054 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Quratul-Ain Zafar

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Emotional Distress ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Psychosocial Impact ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frontline Healthcare Workers

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.

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