QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Testing for the Detection of LTBI in Health Care Workers in the Kyrgyz Republic

Abstract Background: Health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of TB infection due to their close contact with infected patients with active TB. The objectives of the study were (1) to assess the prevalence of LTBI among HCW in major TB hospitals of the Northern Kyrgyz Republic, and (2) to determine the association of LTBI with certain job positions, hospital units, or hospitals. Methods: HCWs from 4 TB hospitals in the Northern Kyrgyz Republic were tested with the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) Quantiferon-TB Gold plus (QFT) for the detection of an immune response to TB as marker of TB infection. Age was controlled for as a confounder. Univariate and multivariable analysis were performed using logistic regression to assess the association of the risk factors (age, job position, and hospital unit) with having a QTF positive result. Firth’s penalized-likelihood estimates were used for determining the odd’s of QFT positivity to account for the small-sample size. Pairwise comparisons using the Bonferroni correction (conservative) and comparisons without adjusting for multiple comparisons (unadjusted) were used to identify the categories where differences occurred.Results: QFT yielded valid results for 404 HCW, with 189 (47%) that had a positive test. In the National Tuberculosis Center, there was an increased odds to have a positive QFT test for the position of physician (OR=8.7, 95%, CI=1.2-60.5, p=0.03) and laboratory staff (OR=19.8, 95% CI=2.9-135.4, p<0.01) when administration staff was used as the baseline and controlling for age. No job position was found to have a significantly higher odds of positivity following a pairwise analysis controlling for multiple comparisons. Fifteen of the 49 HCW with follow-up tests converted from negative to positive at follow-up testing. Conclusions: This is the first report on prevalence and risk factors of LTBI for HCW in the Kyrgyz republic, and results indicate an increased risk for LTBI among physicians and laboratory personnel.

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Health-care workers with COVID-19 living in Mexico City: clinical characterization and related outcomes

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciaa1487 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Neftali Eduardo Antonio-Villa ◽

Omar Yaxmehen Bello-Chavolla ◽

Arsenio Vargas-Vázquez ◽

Carlos A Fermín-Martínez ◽

Alejandro Márquez-Salinas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Mexico City ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Ventilatory Support ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Care Workers ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract Background Health-care workers (HCWs) could be at increased occupational risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Information regarding prevalence and risk factors for adverse outcomes in HCWs is scarce in Mexico. Here, we aimed to explore prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, symptoms, and risk factors associated with adverse outcomes in HCWs in Mexico City. Methods We explored data collected by the National Epidemiological Surveillance System in Mexico City. All cases underwent real-time RT-PCR test. We explored outcomes related to severe COVID-19 in HCWs and the diagnostic performance of symptoms to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs. Results As of July 5 th, 2020, 35,095 HCWs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and 11,226 were confirmed (31.9%). Overall, 4,322 were nurses (38.5%), 3,324 physicians (29.6%), 131 dentists (1.16%) and 3,449 laboratory personnel and other HCWs (30.8%). After follow-up, 1,009 HCWs required hospitalization (9.00%), 203 developed severe outcomes (1.81%), and 93 required mechanical-ventilatory support (0.82%). Lethality was recorded in 226 (2.01%) cases. Symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity were fever, cough, malaise, shivering, myalgias at evaluation but neither had significant predictive value. We also identified 341 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections (3.04%). Older HCWs with chronic non-communicable diseases, pregnancy, and severe respiratory symptoms were associated with higher risk for adverse outcomes. Physicians had higher risk for hospitalization and for severe outcomes compared with nurses and other HCWs. Conclusions We report a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs in Mexico City. No symptomatology can accurately discern HCWs with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Particular attention should focus on HCWs with risk factors to prevent adverse outcomes and reduce infection risk.

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Contact tracing in Lassa fever Outbreak Response, an effective strategy for control?

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v11i1.9854 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joan Ejembi ◽

Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu ◽

Itopa Garba ◽

Anthony Omale ◽

Bala Dogo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Education ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Lassa Fever ◽

Control Measures ◽

Disease Spread ◽

Outbreak Response ◽

Care Workers

ObjectiveTo identify risk factors among contacts of Lassa fever cases which can predispose to disease spread and institute control measures.IntroductionContact tracing is an important strategy employed in surveillance to aid prompt detection of infectious disease and control outbreaks. It involves the identification of those who have come in contact with an infectious person and following them up for the duration of the incubation period of the disease to promptly detect symptoms and signs and institute treatment thus reducing chances of disease spread to other susceptible individuals. It is a primary means of disease prevention. The importance of cooperation from contacts being traced cannot be overemphasized as they are required to promptly report symptoms, avoid gatherings and travelling until they are cleared by the surveillance team. The follow-up should also link contacts who become symptomatic to designated care centers. In 2014, during the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, the disease spread from Lagos to another State in the country by a contact who travelled out of Lagos to Rivers state.To identify risk factors among contacts of Lassa fever cases which can predispose to disease spread and institute control measures, we interviewed primary contacts of Lassa fever cases during an outbreak response in Kogi State Nigeria, 2016MethodsWe Identified contacts of Lassa fever cases (confirmed/suspected/probable) among family, friends, community members, co-workers and health care workers, followed up for 21 days during a Lassa fever outbreak which started in February 2016 at Kogi State Nigeria. Contacts were interviewed using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire with sections on demography, risk factors for infection and spread of Lassa fever, symptoms developed during the follow-up period and adherence to prorocol. Control measures were instituted to address identified gaps. We defined a contact as anyone irrespective of age, occupation or sex who came in contact with any of the cases of Lassa fever classified as either confirmed/suspected/probable and used standard IDSR case definitions for Suspected, Confirmed and Probable cases of Lassa fever. Data was analysed with Epi Info version 7ResultsOverall 149 contacts were interviewed, 79 (53.0%) were female, the mean age of respondents was 33.2 +-10.1 and many were health care workers 61(40.9%). Of the respondents, 18 (12.0%) live or work in areas infested with rodents, 21 (14.1%) ate bush meat, 2 (2.5%) of the females were pregnant and 20 (13.4%) of respondents travelled out of station with 1 (5%) contact crossing international borders. During the follow-up period, 14 (9.4%) developed symptoms suggestive of Lassa fever. Of these 12 (85.7%) sought treatment and the options were self-medication 3 (25.0%) and presenting at a health facility 9 (77.8%). The health facilities visited were mainly privately owned 7(77.9%) and only 1 (11.1) was a tertiary health care facility. We instituted the following interventions; Health education of contacts and linkage of symptomatic contacts to the designated treatment center where treatment commenced and samples were collected and sent to reference lab for diagnosis. All samples 14(100%) came back negative for Lassa fever.ConclusionsContact tracing is an important strategy in controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases. However, risk factors identified among contacts can hinder the effectiveness of this strategy and facilitate spread of the disease. We recommend training on health education and Lassa fever transmission for contacts of cases and the need to adhere to protocol so that the ultimate aim of interrupting transmission can be achieved.ReferencesNigeria Center for Disease Control.Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers,Preparedness and Response Plan.2017

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Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated risk factors among frontline health care workers in Paris, France: the SEROCOV prospective cohort study

10.1101/2021.03.09.21253200 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pierre Hausfater ◽

David Boutolleau ◽

Karine Lacombe ◽

Alexandra Beurton ◽

Margaux Dumont ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

First Line ◽

Care Workers ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractBackgroundWith the COVID-19 pandemic, documenting whether health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 contamination and identifying risk factors is of major concern.MethodsIn this multicenter prospective cohort study, HCWs from frontline departments were included in March and April 2020 and followed for 3 months. SARS-CoV-2 serology was performed at month 0 (M0), M1, and M3 and RT-PCR in case of symptoms. The primary outcome was laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at M3. Risk factors of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at M3 were identified by multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong 1,062 HCWs (median [interquartile range] age, 33 [28-42] years; 758 [71.4%] women; 321 [30.2%] physicians), the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at M3 was 14.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] [12.5; 16.9]). Risk factors were the working department specialty, with increased risk for intensive care units (odds ratio 1.80, 95%CI [0.38; 8.58]), emergency departments (3.91 [0.83; 18.43]) and infectious diseases departments (4.22 [0.92; 18.28]); active smoking was associated with reduced risk (0.36 [0.21; 0.63]). Age, sex, professional category, number of years of experience in the job or department, and public transportation use were not significantly associated with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection at M3.ConclusionThe rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in frontline HCWs was 14.6% at the end of the first COVID-19 wave in Paris and occurred mainly early. The study argues for an origin of professional in addition to private life contamination and therefore including HCWs in the first-line vaccination target population. It also highlights that smokers were at lower risk.Key messagesDuring the first epidemic wave, 14.6% of 1,062 first-line Health Care Workers had a positive serology and/or RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2.Most infections occurred earlyRisk was increased by working in infectious diseases (OR 4.22, 95% confidence interval [0.92; 18.28]), emergency (3.91 [0.83; 18.43]) and intensive care units (1.80, [0.38; 8.58])Being an active smoker was protective (0.36 [0.21; 0.3]).

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Professional practice for COVID-19 risk reduction among health care workers: a Cross-Sectional Study with Matched Case-Control Comparison

10.1101/2021.09.09.21263315 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Wilson ◽

Audrey Mouet ◽

Camille Jeanne-Leroyer ◽

France Borgey ◽

Emmanuelle Odinet-Raulin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Professional Practice ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Case Control ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractBackgroundHealth care workers (HCWs) are particularly exposed to COVID-19 and therefore it is paramount to study preventive measures in this population.AimTo investigate socio-demographic factors and professional practice associated with the risk of COVID-19 among HCWs in health establishments in Normandy, FranceMethodsA cross-sectional and 3 case-control studies were conducted in order to explore the possible risk factors that lead to SARS-CoV2 transmission within HCWs, based on an online questionnaire. The case-control studies focused on risk factors associated with care of COVID-19 patients, care of non COVID-19 patients and contacts between colleagues.FindingsAmong 2,058 respondents, respectively 1,363 (66.2%) and 695 (33.8%) in medical and medico-social establishments, 301 (14.6%) reported having been infected by SARS-CoV2. When caring for COVID-19 patients, HCWs who declared wearing respirators, either for all patient care (ORa 0.39; 95% CI: 0.29-0.51) or only when exposed to aerosol-generating procedures (ORa 0.56; 95% CI: 0.43-0.70), had a lower risk of infection compared with HCWs who declared wearing mainly surgical masks. During care of non COVID-19 patients, wearing mainly a respirator was associated with a higher risk of infection (ORa 1.84; 95% CI: 1.06-3.37). An increased risk was also found for HCWs who changed uniform in workplace changing rooms (ORa 1.93; 95% CI: 1.63-2.29).ConclusionCorrect use of PPE adapted to the situation and risk level is essential in protecting HCWs against infection.

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Risk factors for incident latent tuberculosis in health care workers after exposure to tuberculosis patients: a prospective follow-up study

10.26226/morressier.56d6be70d462b80296c96f2e ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Sung-Ching Pan

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Latent Tuberculosis ◽

Tuberculosis Patients ◽

Follow Up Study ◽

Care Workers

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Comparison of prevalence and risk factors of somatization between Chinese health care workers and non-health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03294-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiuli Song ◽

Yongjie Zhou ◽

Wenwang Rao ◽

Xiangyang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Service ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Related Factors ◽

Dimension Score ◽

Care Workers ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract Background This study aimed to compare prevalence and risk factors of somatization (SOM) between health care workers and non-health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods From 14 February to 29 March 2020, an online survey was performed in both 605 health care workers and 1151 non-health care workers. Based on the somatization dimension score of the Symptom Checklist-90, participants were divided into non-SOM group and SOM group. Results Health care workers had higher prevalence rate of SOM (p < 0.001) than non-health care workers, with an OR of 1.70 (95% CI, 1.22–2.36, p = 0.002). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that in non-health care workers, the risk factors of SOM included other ethnicities, insomnia, and suicide, while in health care workers, the risk factors included working 6–8 h per day, and working ≥10 h per day during COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions Our research suggests that both non-health care workers and health care workers have a relatively high prevalence of somatization. However, the related factors for somatization in both groups are significantly different, showing that medical service-related factors are associated with somatization in health care workers, while demographic and clinical factors are associated with somatization in non-health care workers.

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