scholarly journals Smoking and Vaping During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study Among Healthcare Workers in a Low and Middle-Income Country

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahwish Amin ◽  
Javaria Syed ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Salman ◽  
Azza Sarfraz ◽  
Syed Hashim Abbas Ali Bokhari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Potential Harm ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Continue Smoking

Objective: To investigate social, economic, and environmental contributors to quit or continue smoking and vaping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative study design was adopted to identify smokers’ beliefs in a LMIC, using a small community sample. Results: 276 participants were primarily surveyed. Motivation to continue smoking included temporary pleasurable effects, working remotely, stress or anxiety, whereas a motivator to quit smoking was the overlap with COVID-19 symptomatology. There was a rise in social awareness regarding the potential harm of smoking and vaping during the pandemic yet those participants who were younger felt they were immune from its morbid complications. Conclusions: With paradoxical associations of COVID-19 with cigarette and vape usage, it is important to pay attention to biases in data in favor of educating its users of the increased risk of severe disease.

scholarly journals An Epidemiological Cohort Study of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in German Healthcare Workers – Interim Analysis after Six Months of Follow-up

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Gehring ◽  
Omar Okasha ◽  
Frank Kowalzik ◽  
Tobias Engelmann ◽  
Daniel Schreiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Transmission Period ◽  
Incident Cases

Abstract BackgroundHealthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We assessed incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 before the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines in a cohort of HCWs in Mainz, Germany.MethodsUsing prospective observational cohort design, antibody status was assessed at baseline and every 6 weeks (±2 weeks). Daily self-reported COVID-19 symptoms were collected using a smartphone application. Symptomatic HCWs were tested using RT-PCR. We estimated symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection rates based on two case definitions of varying sensitivity and specificity.Results3664 HCWs were enrolled with a median follow-up of 101 days. The seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies increased from 2.7% at baseline to 3.8%, with the number of seroconversions (65) outweighing seroreversions (26) by end of follow-up. Among HCWs who seroconverted, 12 (~19%) did not report any symptoms. The estimated incidence rate was 4.5 per 1000 person-months, but none the incident cases developed severe disease. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies fell below diagnostic cut-off value in a third of those positive at baseline and in one incident case.ConclusionsWe observed increasing COVID-19 rates among HCWs during an accelerated community transmission period, with relatively lower rate of asymptomatic infections. Our findings indicate a relatively long-lasting humoral immune response following natural infection.

scholarly journals Latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers in low- and middle-income countries: an updated systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 1801789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lika Apriani ◽  
Susan McAllister ◽  
Katrina Sharples ◽  
Bachti Alisjahbana ◽  
Rovina Ruslami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Annual Incidence ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Increased Risk

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) and TB disease.We conducted an updated systematic review of the prevalence and incidence of LTBI in HCWs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), associated factors, and infection control practices. We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science (January 1, 2005–June 20, 2017) for studies published in any language. We obtained pooled estimates using random effects methods and investigated heterogeneity using meta-regression.85 studies (32 630 subjects) were included from 26 LMICs. Prevalence of a positive tuberculin skin test (TST) was 14–98% (mean 49%); prevalence of a positive interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) was 9–86% (mean 39%). Countries with TB incidence ≥300 per 100 000 had the highest prevalence (TST: pooled estimate 55%, 95% CI 41–69%; IGRA: pooled estimate 56%, 95% CI 39–73%). Annual incidence estimated from the TST was 1–38% (mean 17%); annual incidence estimated from the IGRA was 10–30% (mean 18%). The prevalence and incidence of a positive test was associated with years of work, work location, TB contact and job category. Only 15 studies reported on infection control measures in healthcare facilities, with limited implementation.HCWs in LMICs in high TB incidence settings remain at increased risk of acquiring LTBI. There is an urgent need for robust implementation of infection control measures.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 vaccine Alpha and Delta variant breakthrough infections are rare and mild, but happen relative early after vaccination

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelissa Katharina Peter ◽  
Fanny Wegner ◽  
Severin Gsponer ◽  
Fabrice Helfenstein ◽  
Tim Roloff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Breakthrough Infection ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increased Risk

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2)-related hospitalization and mortality in randomized controlled clinical trials, as well as in real-world effectiveness against different circulating SCoV2-lineages. However, some vaccine recipients show breakthrough infection and it remains unknown, which host and viral factors contribute to this risk and how many resulted in severe outcomes. Our aim was to identify demographic and clinical risk factors for SCoV2 breakthrough infections and severe disease in fully vaccinated individuals and to compare patient characteristics in breakthrough infections caused by SCoV2 Alpha or Delta variant. Methods: We conducted an exploratory retrospective case-control study from 28th of December to 25th of October 2021 dominated by the Delta SCoV2 variant. All cases of infection had to be reported by law to the local health authorities. Vaccine recipients data was anonymously available from the national Vaccination Monitoring Data Lake and the main local vaccine center. We compared anonymized patients characteristics of breakthrough infection (n=492) to two overlapping control groups including all vaccine recipients from the Canton of Basel-City (group 1 n=126586 and group 2 n=109382). We also compared patients with breakthrough infection caused by the Alpha to Delta variant. We used different multivariate generalized linear models (GLM). Results: We found only 492/126586 (0.39%) vaccine recipients with a breakthrough infection after vaccination during the 10 months observational period. Most cases were asymptomatic or mild (478/492 97.2%) and only very few required hospitalization (14/492, 2.8%). The time to a positive SCoV2 test shows that most breakthrough infections occurred between a few days to about 170 days after full vaccination, with a median of 78 days (interquartile range, IQR 47-124 days). Factors associated with a lower odds for breakthrough infection were: age (OR 0.987, 95%CI 0.983-0.992), previous COVID-19 infection prior to vaccination (OR 0.296, 95%CI 0.117-0.606), and (self-declared) serious side-effects from previous vaccines (OR 0.289, 95%CI 0.033-1.035). Factors associated with a higher odds for breakthrough infection were: vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (OR 1.459, 95%CI 1.238-1.612), chronic disease as vaccine indication (OR 2.109, 95%CI 1.692-2.620), and healthcare workers (OR 1.404, 95%CI 1.042-1.860). We did not observe a significantly increased risk for immunosuppressed patients (OR 1.248, 95% CI 0.806-1.849). Conclusions: Our study shows that breakthrough infections are rare and show mild illness, but that it occurs early after vaccination with more than 50% of cases within 70 to 80 days post-full vaccination. This clearly implies that boost vaccination should be much earlier initiated compared to the currently communicated 180-day threshold. This has important implications especially for risk groups associated with more frequent breakthrough infections such as healthcare workers, and people in high-risk care facilities. Due to changes in the epidemiological dynamic with new variants emerging, continuous monitoring of breakthrough infections is helpful to provide evidence on booster vaccines and patient groups at risk for potential complications.

scholarly journals Access to personal protective equipment in exposed healthcare workers and COVID-19 illness, severity, symptoms and duration: a population-based case-control study in six countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e004611
Author(s):  
Hyunju Kim ◽  
Sheila Hegde ◽  
Christine LaFiura ◽  
Madhunika Raghavan ◽  
Nancy Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Limited Access ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundDespite the widespread implementation of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the COVID-19 pandemic, there are surprisingly few studies of its impact. To assess the risk, severity and duration of COVID-19 in relation to access to PPE in at-risk healthcare workers (HCWs).MethodsFrom 17 July to 25 September 2020, at-risk physicians and nurses registered as a provider in the Survey Healthcare Globus network in six countries (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and USA) were identified based on adult medical specialties with frequent and close contact with patients with COVID-19. Exposed HCWs completed a detailed questionnaire including demographics, medical, social and lifestyle factors. COVID-19 cases were defined as COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, loss of taste or smell) and asymptomatic COVID-19 test positive cases.ResultsAmong 2884 exposed HCWs (94% medical doctors and 6% nurses or physician assistants), there were 514 reports of COVID-19 illness and 54 asymptomatic COVID-19 test positive cases. COVID-19 risk was significantly associated with close contact with COVID-19 cases both inside and outside the workplace, number of work shifts and hours worked per week. Limited access to PPE compared with access to a fresh mask, gown and gloves and face shield with each patient encounter was associated with a 2.2-fold to 22-fold increased risk of reporting COVID-19 symptoms (p<0.0001), a pattern consistent across all six countries. Further, limited access to PPE was associated with symptom duration greater than 2 weeks and the presence of moderate to severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, abnormal chest X-ray, low oxygen saturations, respiratory distress and acute lung injury.ConclusionIn six countries, less access to PPE was strongly associated with both increased risk of reporting COVID-19 illness as well as more prolonged and severe disease course in frontline HCWs.

Study of sharp injuries and blood splash exposures among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Bangalore

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Sivananjiah Pradeep ◽  
Suman Gadicherla Raghu ◽  
Prathab A G ◽  
Banashankari G Rudresh ◽  
Radhika Kunnavil
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Sharps Injury ◽  
Sharps Injuries

The working environment of healthcare workers (HCW) exposes them to sharp injuries. This communication attempts to examine the injury registers, incidence of sharps injuries and blood splash exposures, and the post-exposure prophylaxis status of employees in a tertiary care hospital. Analysis included records form 54 locations of two units of a tertiary hospital attached to a Medical College. Maintenance of the injury register overall was highly satisfactory in both units. Two hundred and nine injuries were recorded from both units of the hospital. The majority of injuries (60.5%) occurred in the age group of 20-30 years with 70% among females. Waste handlers were at increased risk during waste management procedures. Thirty two percent of sharps injury injuries occurred in wards. Of the ward nursing staff, 25.3% received sharps injuries. Post-exposure prophylaxis for Hepatitis B (primary dose) was given to 25 HCWs; 11 received booster doses. The basic regimen for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis was given to 4 HCWs. Awareness about records maintenance, regular documentation, awareness and training, and implementation of appropriate preventive measures can reduce the incidence of injuries. Key words: Sharps, injury register, Health care workers (HCW),Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and asymptomatic viral carriage in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 1089-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Shields ◽  
Sian E Faustini ◽  
Marisol Perez-Toledo ◽  
Sian Jossi ◽  
Erin Aldera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Internal ◽  
Increased Risk

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.

scholarly journals Illness severity and risk of mental morbidities among patients recovering from COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in the Icelandic population

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049967
Author(s):  
Karen Sól Saevarsdóttir ◽  
Hildur Ýr Hilmarsdóttir ◽  
Ingibjörg Magnúsdóttir ◽  
Arna Hauksdóttir ◽  
Edda Bjork Thordardottir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Disease ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Illness Severity ◽  
University Education ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo test if patients recovering from COVID-19 are at increased risk of mental morbidities and to what extent such risk is exacerbated by illness severity.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.SettingIceland.ParticipantsA total of 22 861 individuals were recruited through invitations to existing nationwide cohorts and a social media campaign from 24 April to 22 July 2020, of which 373 were patients recovering from COVID-19.Main outcome measuresSymptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder Scale) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; modified Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5) above screening thresholds. Adjusting for multiple covariates and comorbidities, multivariable Poisson regression was used to assess the association between COVID-19 severity and mental morbidities.ResultsCompared with individuals without a diagnosis of COVID-19, patients recovering from COVID-19 had increased risk of depression (22.1% vs 16.2%; adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.48, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.82) and PTSD (19.5% vs 15.6%; aRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.75) but not anxiety (13.1% vs 11.3%; aRR 1.24, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.64). Elevated relative risks were limited to patients recovering from COVID-19 that were 40 years or older and were particularly high among individuals with university education. Among patients recovering from COVID-19, symptoms of depression were particularly common among those in the highest, compared with the lowest tertile of influenza-like symptom burden (47.1% vs 5.8%; aRR 6.42, 95% CI 2.77 to 14.87), among patients confined to bed for 7 days or longer compared with those never confined to bed (33.3% vs 10.9%; aRR 3.67, 95% CI 1.97 to 6.86) and among patients hospitalised for COVID-19 compared with those never admitted to hospital (48.1% vs 19.9%; aRR 2.72, 95% CI 1.67 to 4.44).ConclusionsSevere disease course is associated with increased risk of depression and PTSD among patients recovering from COVID-19.

scholarly journals Safer primary healthcare facilities are needed to protect healthcare workers and maintain essential services: lessons learned from a multicountry COVID-19 emergency response initiative

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e005833
Author(s):  
Leena N Patel ◽  
Samantha Kozikott ◽  
Rodrigue Ilboudo ◽  
Moreen Kamateeka ◽  
Mohammed Lamorde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
National Level ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Health Facility Level ◽  
Ensure Patient Safety ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Facility Level

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 and other disease pathogens, which take a disproportionate toll on HCWs, with substantial cost to health systems. Improved infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes can protect HCWs, especially in resource-limited settings where the health workforce is scarcest, and ensure patient safety and continuity of essential health services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we collaborated with ministries of health and development partners to implement an emergency initiative for HCWs at the primary health facility level in 22 African countries. Between April 2020 and January 2021, the initiative trained 42 058 front-line HCWs from 8444 health facilities, supported longitudinal supervision and monitoring visits guided by a standardised monitoring tool, and provided resources including personal protective equipment (PPE). We documented significant short-term improvements in IPC performance, but gaps remain. Suspected HCW infections peaked at 41.5% among HCWs screened at monitored facilities in July 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic in Africa. Disease-specific emergency responses are not the optimal approach. Comprehensive, sustainable IPC programmes are needed. IPC needs to be incorporated into all HCW training programmes and combined with supportive supervision and mentorship. Strengthened data systems on IPC are needed to guide improvements at the health facility level and to inform policy development at the national level, along with investments in infrastructure and sustainable supplies of PPE. Multimodal strategies to improve IPC are critical to make health facilities safer and to protect HCWs and the communities they serve.

scholarly journals Maternal mortality in six low and lower-middle income countries from 2010 to 2018: risk factors and trends

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (S3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Bauserman ◽  
Vanessa R. Thorsten ◽  
Tracy L. Nolen ◽  
Jackie Patterson ◽  
Adrien Lokangaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Maternal Deaths ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Maternal Risk ◽  
Live Births ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Maternal mortality is a public health problem that disproportionately affects low and lower-middle income countries (LMICs). Appropriate data sources are lacking to effectively track maternal mortality and monitor changes in this health indicator over time. Methods We analyzed data from women enrolled in the NICHD Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research Maternal Newborn Health Registry (MNHR) from 2010 through 2018. Women delivering within research sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India (Nagpur and Belagavi), Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia are included. We evaluated maternal and delivery characteristics using log-binomial models and multivariable models to obtain relative risk estimates for mortality. We used running averages to track maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) over time. Results We evaluated 571,321 pregnancies and 842 maternal deaths. We observed an MMR of 157 / 100,000 live births (95% CI 147, 167) across all sites, with a range of MMRs from 97 (76, 118) in the Guatemala site to 327 (293, 361) in the Pakistan site. When adjusted for maternal risk factors, risks of maternal mortality were higher with maternal age > 35 (RR 1.43 (1.06, 1.92)), no maternal education (RR 3.40 (2.08, 5.55)), lower education (RR 2.46 (1.54, 3.94)), nulliparity (RR 1.24 (1.01, 1.52)) and parity > 2 (RR 1.48 (1.15, 1.89)). Increased risk of maternal mortality was also associated with occurrence of obstructed labor (RR 1.58 (1.14, 2.19)), severe antepartum hemorrhage (RR 2.59 (1.83, 3.66)) and hypertensive disorders (RR 6.87 (5.05, 9.34)). Before and after adjusting for other characteristics, physician attendance at delivery, delivery in hospital and Caesarean delivery were associated with increased risk. We observed variable changes over time in the MMR within sites. Conclusions The MNHR is a useful tool for tracking MMRs in these LMICs. We identified maternal and delivery characteristics associated with increased risk of death, some might be confounded by indication. Despite declines in MMR in some sites, all sites had an MMR higher than the Sustainable Development Goals target of below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Trial registration The MNHR is registered at NCT01073475.

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