Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in previously undiagnosed health care workers at the onset of the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic

AbstractImportanceHealthcare workers are presumed to be at increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to occupational exposure to infected patients. However, no epidemiological study has examined the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of healthcare workers during the early phase of community transmission.ObjectiveTo determine the baseline prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of previously undiagnosed healthcare workers and a comparison group of non-healthcare workers.DesignProspective cohort studySettingA large U.S. university and two affiliated university hospitalsParticipants546 health care workers and 283 non-health care workers with no known prior SARS-CoV-2 infectionExposureHealthcare worker status and roleMain outcome(s) and measure(s)SARS-CoV-2 infection status as determined by presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in oropharyngeal swabs.ResultsAt baseline, 41 (5.0%) of participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, of whom 14 (34.2%) reported symptoms. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher among healthcare workers (7.3%) than in non-healthcare workers (0.4%), representing a 7.0% greater absolute risk (95% confidence interval for risk difference 4.7%, 9.3%). The majority of infected healthcare workers (62.5%) worked as nurses. Positive tests increased across the two weeks of cohort recruitment in line with rising confirmed cases in the hospitals and surrounding counties.Conclusions and relevanceIn a prospective cohort conducted in the early phases of community transmission, healthcare workers had a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection than non-healthcare workers, attesting to the occupational hazards of caring for patients in this crisis. Baseline data reported here will enable us to monitor the spread of infection and examine risk factors for transmission among healthcare workers. These results will inform optimal strategies for protecting the healthcare workforce, their families, and their patients.Clinicaltrials.gov registration number:NCT04336215Key pointsQuestionAmong previously undiagnosed individuals, is the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection higher in U.S. healthcare workers compared to non-healthcare workers in the early phase of the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic?FindingsThe prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 7.3% in healthcare workers and 0.4% in non-healthcare workers, representing 7.0% greater absolute risk in the former (95% confidence interval for risk difference 4.7%, 9.3%). Infections were most common among nursing staff.MeaningHealth care workers, particularly those with high levels of close patient contact, may be particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additional strategies are needed to protect these critical frontline workers.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Spreading of chronic pain between body regions: prospective cohort study among health care workers.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.717952269.793457671 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Hong-You Ge

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Body Regions ◽

Care Workers

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Adherence to personal protective equipment use among healthcare workers caring for confirmed COVID-19 and alleged non-COVID-19 patients

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control ◽

10.1186/s13756-020-00864-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Meike M. Neuwirth ◽

Frauke Mattner ◽

Robin Otchwemah

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

University Hospital ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Care Workers

AbstractAdherence observations of health care workers (HCW) revealed deficiencies in the use of recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) among HCW caring in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards during the first period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a university hospital in Germany. The adherence to wearing surgical face or FFP2-masks and disinfecting hands prior to donning and after doffing the PPE was significantly higher in COVID-19 wards However, there was no total adherence of 100% in COVID-19 wards.

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Clinical evaluation of mark induced dermatitis on health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Research in Dermatology ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4529.intjresdermatol20211701 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 413

Author(s):

Sushma I. ◽

Nivin Simon ◽

A. J. S. Pravin ◽

M. K. Padmaprasad ◽

M. Vijayabharathi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Clinical Evaluation ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Background: Mask induced dermatitis is common among health care workers now because of the obligatory use of facemask for a longer period during COVID-19, the clinical features vary. Very few studies could be conducted due to the COVID induced constraints. Studies regarding reactions to face masks in health workers published to date are limited and hence we decided to do this study. The objective of this study was to find out the clinical presentations of mask induced dermatitis due to long term use of facemask on healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 40 healthcare workers attend our OPD with face mask for 6 months. After getting informed written consent clinical evaluation was made by history and dermatologic examination.Results: Total 40 health care professionals between the age group of 21-50 years (17 females and 23 males) came to our OPD with complaints of itching and dryness with signs of erythema, scaling, papules for 6 months duration. Out of them, 15 (37.5%) patients had exacerbation of pre-existing dermatoses like atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, acne. 10 patients (25%) had irritant contact dermatitis 7 patients (17.5%) had sweat-induced dermatitis, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to sponge strip at the nasal bridge, 4 patients (10%) had dermatitis due to vehement use of ear loop involving retroauricular region.Conclusions: This study showed that wearing face masks results in the development and aggravation of other skin diseases due to various causes. Itch can induce scratching and thus lead to inappropriate use of face masks, which could compromise their function.

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Assessing Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Hand Hygiene among Health Care Workers in Eradah Complex in Jeddah

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i59b34441 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 740-752

Author(s):

Emad Farouq Khodary ◽

Abdalrhman Saleh Altamimi ◽

Haifaa Hassan Alghamdi ◽

Maryam Mohammad Alshehri ◽

Saud Jabr Almehmadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Nosocomial Infection ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Age Group ◽

Addiction Medicine ◽

Female Workers ◽

Hand Wash ◽

Care Workers

Background: Most of the persons thought that nosocomial infection is spread from the hands of health care workers. The main aim of hand washing is to be aware for all to know that this is a myth that nosocomial infection is spread from hand. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Eradah Complex in Jeddah. The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) has accredited Eradah Complex for Mental Health- Jeddah, as a training center for addiction medicine fellowship program. An observation is done by providing a Google form to the health care workers of the Eradah complex in Jeddah. This is to observe the views of the health care workers on the issue of practices of hand hygiene. Results: There were a total of 178 study participants (111 male and 67 participants). Age groups demonstrate that 34.27% of participants belong to the age group of 36 to 45 years. 32.02% of the participants belong to the age group of 26 to 35 years of age group. Moreover, the graph has shown that 14.04% of participants belong to the age group of 18 to 25 years. It has been seen that the number of female workers bearing the position of Nurse is less than those of males. It is important to have more respondents being nurses as the nurses usually communicate directly with the patients. There is a doctor too, but they are less interaction directly with the patient. Therefore, overall graph shows that only 6.18% participants prefer other professions whereas among other percentages, 7.30% participants are pharmacists, 25.28% people are nurses, and 18.54% participants are doctors. Conclusion: The present study has discussed that maintenance of hand hygiene in the hospitals and clinics are of sheer importance. The research methodology that is incorporated in the present study has been helpful for the researchers in understanding the perception of the healthcare workers what they think about the aspect of washing hands primarily after the pandemic. Therefore, it has been seen that most of the participative healthcare workers primarily males do not find the aspect hand hygiene much important and so they rarely use soap for hand wash. On the contrary, the female workers understand the importance of hand wash more and thus, they support the thought of hand hygiene at the workplace.

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Mental Disorders Among Health Care Workers at the Early Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya; Findings of an Online Descriptive Survey

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.665611 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Edith Kamaru Kwobah ◽

Ann Mwangi ◽

Kirtika Patel ◽

Thomas Mwogi ◽

Robert Kiptoo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Early Phase ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Generalized Anxiety ◽

Care Workers

Background: Healthcare workers responding to the Corona Virus Pandemic (COVID-19) are at risk of mental illness. Data is scanty on the burden of mental disorders among Kenyan healthcare workers responding to the pandemic that can inform mental health and psychosocial support. The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency and associated factors of worry, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and poor quality of sleep among Kenyan health care workers at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We conducted an online survey among 1,259 health care workers in Kenya. A researcher developed social demographic questionnaire and several standardized tools were used for data collection. Standardized tools were programmed into Redcap, (Research Electronic Data Capture) and data analysis was performed using R Core Team. In all analysis a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: 66% of the participants reported experiencing worry related to COVID-19. 32.1% had depression, 36% had generalized anxiety, 24.2% had insomnia and 64.7% scored positively for probable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Depression was higher among females compared to men (36.5 vs. 26.9%, p = 0.003), workers <35 years old compared to older ones (38.1 vs. 26.4%, p < 0.001), and those who were not married compared to those who were married (40.6 vs. 27.6%, p < 0.001). Generalized anxiety was commoner among workers aged <35 years (43.5 vs. 29.3%, p < 0.001), females (41.7 vs. 29.2%, p < 0.001), those who mere not married compared to the married (45.2 vs. 31.2%, p < 0.001) and those with <10 years working experience (41.6 to 20.5%, p < 0.001). Younger health care professional had a higher proportion of insomnia compared to the older ones (30.3 vs. 18.6%, p < 0.001). Insomnia was higher among those with <10 years' experience compared to those with more than 20 years' experience(27.3 vs. 17.6%, p = 0.043)Conclusion: Many Kenyan healthcare workers in the early phase of COVID-19 pandemic suffered from various common mental disorders with young, female professionals who are not married bearing the bigger burden. This data is useful in informing interventions to promote mental and psychosocial wellbeing among Kenyan healthcare workers responding to the pandemic.

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Healthcare Workers’ Mobile Phones as a Possible Vehicle of Nosocomial Pathogens and the Role of Different Disinfectants in their Decontamination

10.51429/ejmm30304 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 29-36

Author(s):

Rana E. Elgabeery ◽

Radwa A. Eissa ◽

Sohair M. Soliman ◽

Naglaa F. Ghoname

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Colony Count ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

University Hospitals ◽

Care Workers ◽

Before And After

Background: As Mobile Phones (MPs) aren’t cleaned routinely and have been touched during patient’s examination, they may become contaminated with hospital pathogens. Objectives: Screen MPs of Health care workers (HCWs) for pathogens and verify the effect of disinfectants in their decontamination. Methods: A questionnaire was submitted by 160 HCWs in Tanta University Hospitals. Samples were taken from their MPs and subjected to pour plate counting before and after disinfection. Standard identification and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates were done. Results: Colony count was greater in MPs used while caring for patients or inside restroom, and was less in regularly cleaned MPs. All tested disinfectants reduced the colony count significantly. Pathogens were isolated from 84.38% of samples and 36.25% of them were Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs). Conclusion: Using MPs at critical care areas and restroom may contribute to their contamination with pathogens. Regular disinfection of MPs can reduce this contamination.

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SARS-CoV-2–Specific Neutralizing Antibody Responses in Norwegian Health Care Workers After the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

The Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/infdis/jiaa737 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mai-Chi Trieu ◽

Amit Bansal ◽

Anders Madsen ◽

Fan Zhou ◽

Marianne Sævik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Patient Exposure ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries experienced infection in health care workers (HCW) due to overburdened health care systems. Whether infected HCW acquire protective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unclear. Methods In a Norwegian prospective cohort study, we enrolled 607 HCW before and after the first COVID-19 wave. Exposure history, COVID-19–like symptoms, and serum samples were collected. SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies were characterized by spike-protein IgG/IgM/IgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent and live-virus neutralization assays. Results Spike-specific IgG/IgM/IgA antibodies increased after the first wave in HCW with, but not in HCW without, COVID-19 patient exposure. Thirty-two HCW (5.3%) had spike-specific antibodies (11 seroconverted with ≥4-fold increase, 21 were seropositive at baseline). Neutralizing antibodies were found in 11 HCW that seroconverted, of whom 4 (36.4%) were asymptomatic. Ninety-seven HCW were tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) during follow-up; 8 were positive (7 seroconverted, 1 had undetectable antibodies). Conclusions We found increases in SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in infected HCW, especially after COVID-19 patient exposure. Our data show a low number of SARS-CoV-2–seropositive HCW in a low-prevalence setting; however, the proportion of seropositivity was higher than RT-PCR positivity, highlighting the importance of antibody testing.

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Knowledge and Compliance Toward Standard Precaution Among Health Care Workers at Bahria International Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

International Journal of Social Sciences and Management ◽

10.3126/ijssm.v7i1.27406 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 17-20

Author(s):

Humira Ather ◽

Asaf Khan ◽

Saima Shabnum

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

P Value ◽

Hospital Acquired Infection ◽

Standard Precaution ◽

Care Workers ◽

Knowledge And Practice ◽

Control Infection ◽

Hospital Acquired

Introduction: Standard precaution is a way to stop the spread of hospital acquired infection which may be in the form of blood, secretions, body waste, body fluids and mucous membrane that may contain contagious infectious agents. Healthcare workers are the persons who have the moral obligation to care for sick persons and improve their regaining health and attain excellent worth of treatment care. Therefore, health care providers should have proper knowledge and good practice to strictly adhere to standard precaution control infection. Aim: To determine the knowledge and compliance toward standard precaution among health care workers in Bahria international Hospital Lahore. Methodology: a descriptive cross sectional study design were used for this study with sample size of 180 participants which were randomly selected from the target population. Results: The association between knowledge and practice was assessed through chi square test with p value=0.05, after apply this test the p value found .000 which is significant association between knowledge and practice. Whereas regression test shows value of adjusted R² showing 60% (F=.141, p <.001) of variance caused by independent variable (knowledge) in dependent variable (practice). Hence, it is proved that there is a significant positive relationship between knowledge and practice. Conclusion: The current study concluded that adhering to standard precaution is very important for all health care workers to control hospital acquired infection. Study finding also show that majority of the healthcare workers have good knowledge regarding standard precautions but they have unsatisfactory compliance to prevent and control infection. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. 7(1): 17-20

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Effectiveness of health care workers and peer engagement in promoting access to health services among population at higher risk for HIV in Tanzania (KPHEALTH): study protocol for a quasi experimental trial

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-019-4675-z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elia John Mmbaga ◽

Germana Henry Leyna ◽

Melkizedeck Thomas Leshabari ◽

Britt Tersbøl ◽

Theis Lange ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

General Population ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Care Workers ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Peer Engagement ◽

Improve Access

Abstract Background While there are indications of declining HIV infection rates in the general population globally, Tanzania included, men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and people who inject drugs (PWID), now called Key Populations (KP) for HIV epidemic have 2–20 times higher infections rates and contributes up to 30% of new HIV infection. Tanzania have developed a Comprehensive Guideline for HIV prevention among key population (CHIP) to address the epidemic among KPs. However, these populations are stigmatized and discriminated calling for innovative approaches to improve access to CHIP. This project seeks to test the effectiveness of healthcare workers and peer-to-peer engagement in promoting access to CHIP among HIV at risk populations in Tanzania. Methods A quasi-experimental design involving Dar es Salaam City as an intervention region and Tanga as a control region will be done. Using respondent driven sampling, 1800 at risk population (900 from Intervention site and 900 from control site) will be recruited at baseline to identify pull and push factors for health services access. Stakeholder’s consultation will be done to improve training contents for CHIP among health care workers and peers. Effectiveness of healthcare workers training and peer engagement will be tested using a quasi-experimental design. Discussion The results are expected to co-create service provision and improve access to services among KPs as a human right, reverse HIV infection rates among KPs and the general population, and improve social and economic wellbeing of Tanzanian. Trial registration Retrospectively registered on 28th August, 2019 with International Standard Randomized Clinical Trial Number (ISRCTN11126469).

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