scholarly journals Seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 Antibodies in Scottish Healthcare Workers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hani Abo-Leyah ◽  
Stephanie Gallant ◽  
Diane Cassidy ◽  
Yan Hui Giam ◽  
Justin Killick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
Predominantly Female

AbstractIntroductionHealthcare workers are believed to be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The extent of that increased risk compared to the general population and the groups most at risk have not been extensively studied.MethodsA prospective observational study of health and social care workers in NHS Tayside (Scotland, UK) from May to September 2020. The Siemens SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay was used to establish seroprevalence in this cohort. Patients provided clinical information including demographics and workplace information. Controls, matched for age and sex to the general Tayside population, were studied for comparison.ResultsA total of 2062 health and social care workers were recruited for this study. The participants were predominantly female (81.7%) and 95.2% were white. 299 healthcare workers had a positive antibody test (14.5%). 11 out of 231 control sera tested positive (4.8%). Healthcare workers therefore had an increased likelihood of a positive test (odds ratio 3.4 95% CI 1.85-6.16, p<0.0001). Dentists, healthcare assistants and porters were the job roles most likely to test positive. Those working in front-line roles with COVID-19 patients were more likely to test positive (17.4% vs. 13.4%, p=0.02). 97.1% of patients who had previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR had positive antibodies, compared to 11.8% of individuals with a symptomatic illness who had tested negative. Anosmia was the symptom most associated with the presence of detectable antibodies.ConclusionIn this study, healthcare workers were three times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 than the general population. The seroprevalence data in different populations identified in this study will be useful to protect healthcare staff during future waves of the pandemic.

scholarly journals The protective effect of SARS-COV-2 antibodies in Scottish healthcare workers

2021 ◽  
pp. 00080-2021
Author(s):  
Hani Abo-Leyah ◽  
Stephanie Gallant ◽  
Diane Cassidy ◽  
Yan Hui Giam ◽  
Justin Killick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Natural Production ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Almost All

BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCW) are believed to be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is not known to what extent the natural production of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is protective against re-infection.MethodsA prospective observational study of HCW's in Scotland (UK) from May to September 2020. The Siemens SARS-CoV-2 total antibody assay was used to establish seroprevalence in this cohort. Controls, matched for age and sex to the general local population, were studied for comparison. New infections (up to 2/12/2020) post antibody testing were recorded to determine if the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies protect against re-infection.ResultsA total of 2063 health and social care workers were recruited for this study. At enrolment 300 HCW had a positive antibody test (14.5%). 11/231 control sera tested positive (4.8%). HCW therefore had an increased likelihood of a positive test (Odds ratio 3.4 95% CI 1.85–6.16, p<0.0001). Dentists were most likely to test positive. 97.3% of patients who had previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR had positive antibodies. 18.7% had an asymptomatic infection. There were 38 new infections with SARS-CoV-2 in HCW who were previously antibody negative and one symptomatic RT-PCR positive re-infection. The presence of antibodies was therefore associated with an 85% reduced risk of re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 (HR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.35, p=0.026).ConclusionHCW were three times more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 than the general population. Almost all infected individuals developed an antibody response which was 85% effective in protecting against re-infection with SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Drive-through testing for SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic health and social care workers and household members: an observational cohort study in Tayside, Scotland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Parcell ◽  
Kathryn Brechin ◽  
Sarah Allstaff ◽  
Meg Park ◽  
Wendy Third ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Lost Work ◽  
Testing Programme ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
And Control

It has been recognised that health and social care workers (HSCW) experience higher rates of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Widespread testing of HSCWs and their symptomatic household contacts (SHCs) has not been fully implemented in the United Kingdom. We describe the results of a testing programme for HSCWs and SHCs in a single UK region (Tayside, Scotland). The testing service was established 17 th March 2020 as the first in the country, and samples were collected at a drive-through testing hub based at a local community hospital. HSCWs with mild symptoms who were self-isolating and the SHCs of HSCWs who would therefore be absent from work attended for testing. From 17 th March 2020 to 11 th April, 1887 HSCWs and SHCs underwent testing. Clinical information was available for 1727 HSCWs and SHCs. 4/155 (2.6%) child contacts, 73/374 (19.5%) adult contacts and 325/1173 (27.7%) HSCWs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. 15 of 188 undetermined cases were positive (8.0%). We estimate that testing prevented up to 3634 lost work days from HSCW testing, 2795 from adult SHC testing and 1402 lost work days from child SHC testing. The establishment of this testing programme has assisted the infection prevention and control team in their investigation of transmission and supported adequate staffing in health and social care sectors.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Ig G among Healthcare Workers and the General Population

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Gregorio P. Milani ◽  
Mario G. Bianchetti ◽  
Giuseppe Togni ◽  
Andreas W. Schoenenberger ◽  
Franco Muggli
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Ig G

It is assumed that healthcare workers are at the highest risk to be infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, few data from healthcare workers who do not primarily take care of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection support this assumption. We investigated the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (Ig G) against SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers who do not primarily take care of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the general population in a well-defined geographical area. The first part of the study was conducted in May 2020 in Val Mesolcina (Southern Switzerland), a valley with ~8000 inhabitants. All healthcare workers were invited. All participants (n = 488) of the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS), a cohort representative of the general population, were also invited. Circulating Ig G against spike protein subunit 1 of SARS-CoV-2 were tested in each subject. Subjects with positive Ig G were tested again after 6 months. The condition of being a healthcare worker, rather than a part of the general population, was tested as a predictor of seroprevalence positivity by both simple and multiple (adjusted for age and sex) logistic regression. Eleven (2.6%) of the 423 SWICOS participants and 46 (16%) out of 289 healthcare workers were positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The seroprevalence OR was 7.01 (95% CI: 3.53–15.47) for healthcare workers as compared to SWICOS participants. After adjusting for age and gender, the seroprevalence OR was 5.13 (95% CI: 2.54–10.40). About three quarters of the subjects in the SWICOS (73%) and in healthcare (79%) group with a previous positive serology still presented positive Ig G against the SARS-CoV-2 after 6 months. The present seroprevalence data point out that the SARS-CoV-2 infection is seven times higher among healthcare workers than in the general population of Val Mesolcina. Efforts to effectively protect all the healthcare personnel are needed.

scholarly journals Predictors and rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety in UK frontline health and social care workers during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1882781
Author(s):  
Talya Greene ◽  
Jasmine Harju-Seppänen ◽  
Mariam Adeniji ◽  
Charlotte Steel ◽  
Nick Grey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Care ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health And Social Care

scholarly journals Exploiting Administrative Data to Understand the Mental Health of Children Known to Social Services

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah McKenna ◽  
Aideen Maguire ◽  
Dermot O'Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Children In Care ◽  
Care System

Background Research has consistently found a high prevalence of mental ill-health among children in out-of-home care. However, results have varied significantly by study location, type of care intervention, sample population and mental health measurement, and concerns have been raised about appropriate reference populations. In addition, little is known about children known to social services who remain with their birth families. Aim To examine mental ill-health amongst children known to social services based on care exposure including those who remain at home, those placed in foster care, kinship care or institutional care and the general population not known to social services. Methods Northern Ireland is unique in that has an integrated health and social care system and holds data centrally on all children known to social services. Social services data (1995-2015) will be linked to hospital discharge data (2010-2015), prescribed medication data (2010-2015), self-harm data (2010-2015) and death records (2010-2015) to investigate mental health outcomes in terms of psychiatric hospital admissions, psychotropic medication uptake, self-harm and suicide. Results Data cleaning has been completed and analysis is underway. Preliminary results will be available by December 2019. Descriptive statistics will provide a mental health profile of children in care compared not only to children in the general population but to those who are known to social services but remain in their own home. Regression models will determine which factors are most associated with poor mental health outcomes. Conclusion This project is the UK’s first population-wide data linkage study examining the mental health of children in the social care system, including looked-after children and those known to social services who remain in their own home. Project partners in the Department of Health recognise the potential of these findings to inform future policy relating to targeting interventions for children in receipt of social care services.

An insight into the work of sexual assault referral centres and the role of the forensic nurse examiner

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (22) ◽  
pp. 1296-1302
Author(s):  
Helen Hand-Oades
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Criminal Offence ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Referral Centre ◽  
Know How ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Insight Into

It is more likely than ever that healthcare staff of all grades and in all settings will encounter cases of sexual assault, so it is crucial that they know how to respond appropriately to support survivors. Health and social care workers engage with clients in a range of situations, which means that they are well placed for such disclosure. In some cases, particularly if the assault is a recent incident, time is of the essence to ensure that there is no loss of evidence that could be crucial in gaining a conviction. This article explores the role of a sexual assault referral centre (SARC), a service that few people know about or think they will ever need. The type of sexual activity that constitutes a criminal offence will be discussed and information presented that offers direction for those who want to involve the police, and for those who do not. Links to a range of organisations are also included that survivors of recent or historic sexual assault can access for support and advice.

Supporting people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-68
Author(s):  
Linda Nazarko
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care Practice ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Practice Nurse ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health And Social Care

People with dementia have experienced great disruption to their lives due to the pandemic. Linda Nazarko highlights the way individuals have been affected and how the practice nurse can support them People with dementia and their caregivers have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolation, a reduction in formal and informal support, and disruption to routine have contributed to feelings of loneliness and anxiety in people with dementia and their caregivers. The pandemic has led to staff shortages in health and social care, changes of care workers and a reduction in the level of support provided. These changes have affected the physical and mental health of people with dementia and increased their reliance on primary care. Practice nurses have a key role to play in supporting affected individuals.

The association of loneliness with health and social care utilisation in older adults in the general population: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberley J Smith ◽  
Christina Victor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Population ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Consistent Finding ◽  
Care Utilisation ◽  
Health And Social Care

Abstract Background and Objectives Loneliness is proposed to be linked with increased service use. This review examined the association of loneliness and health and social care utilisation (HSCU) in older adults from the general population. Research Design and Methods Four databases were screened for studies that examined the association of loneliness (predictor) with HSCU (outcome) in older adults (defined as majority of sample 60 or older). Study quality was assessed with the NIH scale for observational cohorts and cross-sectional studies. Results We identified 32 studies, of which 9 prospective studies were evaluated as being good or good-fair quality. Two good-fair quality studies found loneliness at baseline was associated with subsequent admission to a residential care home. There was emerging evidence that loneliness was associated with emergency department use (n=1), and CVD-specific hospitalisation (n=1). Once adjusted for confounders the highest quality studies found no association of baseline loneliness with physician utilisation, outpatient service utilisation, skilled nursing facility use, and planned or unplanned hospital admissions. The remaining, studies were cross-sectional, or of fair to poor quality, and inadequate to reliably determine whether loneliness was associated with a subsequent change in HSCU. Discussion and implications There was heterogeneity in study design, measurement, and study quality. This generated an inconsistent evidence base where we cannot determine clear inferences about the relationship between loneliness and HSCU. Only one consistent finding was observed between two good-fair quality studies regarding care home admission. To determine clinical implications and make reliable inferences additional good quality longitudinal research is needed.

ENACT Study: What has helped health and social care workers maintain their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? Adaptive coping, team resilience, help-seeking behaviour and work based supports

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Cogan ◽  
Chloe Kennedy ◽  
Zoe Beck ◽  
Lisa McInnes ◽  
Gillian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Adaptive Coping ◽  
Team Resilience ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Health And Social Care

Rapid studies have highlighted the adverse mental health impact of COVID-19 on health and social care workers (HSCWs). Complementing this work, we report on the psychosocial factors that have helped HSCWs adapt to the adversities associated with COVID-19 and protect staff wellbeing in Scotland. The ENACT study collected data from HSCWs (n= 1364) in Scotland during the third national lockdown. Using a cross-sectional design, participants completed an online survey providing quantitative data and free responses. A multi-method approach to analysis was used. The majority of HSCWs were found to have low wellbeing scores, high levels of COVID-19 stress, worry, burnout and risk perception scores and almost half of HSCWs met the clinical cut off for acute stress. Adaptive coping strategies and increased perceived team resilience helped mitigate against the adverse impact that COVID-19 stressors have on HSCWs’ mental wellbeing. HSCWs were significantly more likely to seek informal support for dealing with personal or emotional problems. Barriers to formal help-seeking were identified including stigma and fears of consequence of disclosure. HSCWs most valued peer support, workplace supports, visible leadership and teamwork. Our findings illuminate the complexity of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HSCWs’ wellbeing and will inform future intervention development to increase positive adaptation amongst staff. Addressing barriers to mental health help-seeking among HSCWs is essential. The implications emphasise the importance of lessons learned across health and social care contexts, planning and preparedness for future pandemics.

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