Sharp-Device Injuries and Perceived Risk of Infection With Bloodborne Pathogens Among Healthcare Workers in Rural Kenya

(1) Background: because of close contacts with COVID-19 patients, hospital workers are among the highest risk groups for infection. This study examined the socioeconomic and behavioral correlates of COVID-19 infection among hospital workers in Indonesia, the country hardest-hit by the disease in the Southeast Asia region. (2) Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study, which collected data from 1397 hospital staff from eight hospitals in the Greater Jakarta area during April–July 2020. The data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests. We employed descriptive statistics and adjusted and unadjusted logistic regressions to analyze the data of hospital workers as well as the subgroups of healthcare and non-healthcare workers. (3) Results: from a total of 1397 hospital staff in the study, 22 (1.6%) were infected. In terms of correlates, being a healthcare worker (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 8.31, 95% CI 1.27–54.54) and having a household size of more than five (AOR = 4.09, 1.02–16.43) were significantly associated with a higher risk of infection. On the other hand, those with middle- and upper-expenditure levels were shown to have a lower risk of infection (AOR = 0.06, 0.01–0.66). Behavioral factors associated with COVID-19 infection among healthcare and non-healthcare workers included knowledge of standard personal protective equipment (PPE) (AOR = 0.08, 0.01–0.54) and application of the six-step handwashing technique (AOR = 0.32, 0.12–0.83). (4) Conclusion: among hospital staff, correlates of COVID-19 infection included being a healthcare worker, household size, expenditure level, knowledge and use of PPE, and application of appropriate hand washing techniques.

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Characteristics of Healthcare Workers Vaccinated against Influenza in the Era of COVID-19

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070695 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 695

Author(s):

Giorgia Della Polla ◽

Francesca Licata ◽

Silvia Angelillo ◽

Concetta Paola Pelullo ◽

Aida Bianco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

High Risk Group ◽

High Coverage ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Current Season ◽

Study Results

Understanding the potential impact of COVID-19 on receiving influenza vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is of utmost importance. The purposes of the present cross-sectional study were to describe the characteristics and to explore the predictors of receiving influenza vaccination among a large cohort of Italian HCWs in hospital settings. Information was collected through an anonymous questionnaire from December 2020 through January 2021. General and practice characteristics, perceived risk of seasonal influenza, attitudes towards efficacy and safety of influenza vaccination, and reasons behind the decision to be vaccinated against influenza were explored. Fewer than half (46.2%) of HCWs agreed that influenza is a serious illness and perceived the risk of getting infected with influenza, and concerns about the safety of the vaccination were significant positive predictors. Fewer than half of the respondents were not concerned at all about the efficacy (48.6%) and safety (49.8%) of influenza vaccination, and 51.9% reported that they have not received a seasonal influenza vaccine during the previous season. The most mentioned reason for receiving the influenza vaccine in the current season was that influenza and COVID-19 share some similar symptoms. Study results will aid policymakers in developing vaccination education programs, promotion of trust to address negative misconceptions, and to achieve future high coverage among this high-risk group.

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SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT HIV/AIDS, TRUST OF SOURCES AND PERCEIVED RISK OF INFECTION

Australian Journal of Social Issues ◽

10.1002/j.1839-4655.1994.tb01014.x ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 283-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Perri Timmins ◽

Cynthia Gallois ◽

Malcolm McCamish ◽

Yoshihisa Kashima ◽

Deborah Terry

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Hiv Aids

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Perceived risk and parental coronavirus anxiety in healthcare workers: a moderated mediation role of coronavirus fear and mental well-being

Psychology Health & Medicine ◽

10.1080/13548506.2021.1871771 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Murat Yıldırım ◽

Ahmet Özaslan ◽

Gökmen Arslan

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Well Being ◽

Moderated Mediation ◽

Mental Well Being

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The associations of geographic location and perceived risk of infection with the intentions to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in China

Expert Review of Vaccines ◽

10.1080/14760584.2021.1969917 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rize Jing ◽

Li Li ◽

Jia Guo ◽

Yifan Song ◽

Shufan Geng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perceived Risk ◽

Geographic Location ◽

Risk Of Infection

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Covid-19: the role of infection control in protecting the healthcare workersin Viet Nam

Journal of Clinical Medicine- Hue Central Hospital ◽

10.38103/jcmhch.2021.72.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dinh Binh Tran

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Current Situation ◽

Viet Nam ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Ministry Of Health ◽

Work Pressure

Protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) is a top priority in COVID-19 pandemic at this time. HCWs who carry the pathogens will increase the risk of infecting their patients, their colleagues as well as the community. Therefore, HCWs must follow the guidance of preventive measures issued by the Ministry of Health to ensure safety, although that means they have to work under uncomfortable condition. That is the reason why the role of surveillance and assessment the risk of infection is extremely critical. Only with regular and continuous supervision, with instructions and reminders, can HCWs effectively prevent the COVID-19 infection, especially while being under intensity - work pressure of the current situation.

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Management of clozapine treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/2045125320928167 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 204512532092816 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Siobhan Gee ◽

Fiona Gaughran ◽

James MacCabe ◽

Sukhi Shergill ◽

Eromona Whiskey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Physical Contact ◽

Full Blood Count ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Clozapine Treatment ◽

Neutropenic Sepsis ◽

Blood Assay ◽

Blood Monitoring ◽

Increased Risk

Clozapine is the only available treatment for refractory schizophrenia but its use involves frequent physical contact with healthcare workers for the purpose of mandatory blood monitoring. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients taking clozapine will be self-isolating to reduce the risk of infection, not least because these patients are at high risk of serious illness and fatality because of high rates of diabetes, obesity and pulmonary disease and an increased risk of pneumonia. Problems may also arise because both clozapine-induced myocarditis and neutropenic sepsis share signs and symptoms with COVID-19 (fever, chest pain, dyspnoea, etc.). We recommend decreasing the frequency of physical contacts by extending the blood monitoring interval to 12 weeks in those patients taking clozapine for more than 1 year. To distinguish COVID-19 from clozapine-related physical adverse effects, we suggest an urgent antigen test alongside a full blood count. In those taking clozapine who develop COVID-19, we suggest continuing with clozapine whenever possible (even during ventilation), reducing the dose if necessary in line with blood assay results. Blood monitoring should continue but clozapine should only cease if there is a significant fall in neutrophils (COVID-19 is linked to lymphopenia but not neutropenia). To protect against the likelihood and severity of respiratory infection, we recommend the use of vitamin D in all clozapine patients. Initiation of clozapine is likely to remain problematic while the risk of infection remains, given the degree of physical contact required to assure safety.

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