Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among Health Care Workers in Three Health Facilities of Yaounde, Center Region of Cameroon

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, China and has subsequently become a worldwide pandemic. During the pandemic, health care workers (HCWs) were very exposed to COVID-19 infected patients. The aim of this study was to determine seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among HCWs in three health facilities of Yaounde. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 368 HCWs was conducted from January 18th to February 13th, 2021, in three health facilities located in city of Yaounde. Data of study participants were collected by face-to-face interviews using standard questionnaire. Blood samples were collected in labelled dry tubes and analyzed using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) cassettes (Abbott PanbioTMCOVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Device). The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 7. Any value of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The average age was 30.25 (SD±10.43) years old, range from 21 to 72 years old. Overall, the positivity rates of IgM, IgG and IgM+IgG were 6.79% (n=25), 17.93% (n=66) and 1.09% (n=4) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that, the rate of IgM positivity was highest in laboratory personnel (χ2= 7.99, p=0.3) and IgG (χ2= 8.50, p=0.29), IgM+IgG (χ2= 1.92, p=0.26) respectively in pharmacy and clinical personnel. The clinical signs such as fever (˃38°C) or history of fever was statistically significant with IgM (χ2=11.71, p= 0.0006) while, sore throat was statistically significant associated with IgM (χ2= 14.3, p= 0.0008) and IgG (χ2= 6.33, p= 0.04). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal a high seroprevalence of circulation of the virus in hospital milieu in Yaounde suggesting the continuation of the COVID-19 « Track-Test-Treat » system to break the chain of transmission.

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Occupational exposure of health care workers to blood and body fluids in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2018: A cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-587725/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tesfaye Solomon ◽

Dejene Lemessa

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Work Experience ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Body Fluids ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Needle Stick Injury ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background: Health care workers are susceptible to acquiring blood and body fluids borne infections due to their occupations involving contact with patients and their body fluids, although studies conducted in Ethiopia are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude of exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in governmental health facilities in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.Materials and methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 19 to June 25, 2018. A total of 381 health care workers were selected by simple random sampling from 31 sampled governmental health facilities using proportional to size allocation. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, entered into Epi-info version 7, and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated for variables retained in the multivariable logistic regression and significance declared at p<0.05.Results: Of 377 health care workers who participated, the study found that 233 (61.2%) were exposed to blood and body fluids in their lifetime. Previous needle stick injury (AOR=0.30; 95%CI: 0.12-0.75), type of health facility (AOR=0.42; 95%CI: 0.26-0.68), handwashing practice (AOR=0.15; 95%CI: 0.07, 0.31), and perceiving at risk (AOR=0.16; 95%CI: 0.03, 0.98) were protective factors whereas long work experience (AOR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.13-1.93) was a risk factor for the exposure.Conclusions: Exposures to blood and body fluids during patient care were common among health care workers in the study area. Therefore, health care workers especially those newly hired and working in hospitals should pay due attention to their occupation's safety and regularly practice hand washing during critical times.

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Knowledge and Preparedness on Corona Virus Pandemic among Healthcare Workers in Igembe South Health Facilities, Meru County, Kenya

Asian Journal of Medicine and Health ◽

10.9734/ajmah/2020/v18i1030262 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 155-164

Author(s):

P. K. Kubai ◽

M. P. Ndiba ◽

L. K. Ikiara ◽

C. K. Karani

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Economic Effects ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Corona Virus ◽

Care Workers

Worldwide Corona virus outbreak has cause panic and enormous health and economic effects due to inadequate or lack of appropriate information about COVID -19. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the Level of knowledge and Preparedness to Corona Virus (COVID –19) Pandemic among Health Workers in Igembe South, Meru County, Kenya. Study Design: This was cross-sectional study was conducted to determine their Knowledge and Preparedness among HCWs on COVID-19 pandemic. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Igembe South Health Facilities between March and June 2020. Methodology: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in Igembe South Sub County of Meru County from March 2020 to June 2020 among 87 Health Care Workers to determine their Knowledge and Preparedness on COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected using structured Likert’s Scale questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was performed to obtain frequencies and distribution of the variables. Results: The results shows that eight seven (87) health care workers with mean age of 34± 9 (SD) years with a minimum age of 19 years and maximum age of 60 years were recruited responded to the questions of the study. Among the 87 participants, 51 (58.6%) had at least a bachelor's degree, 30 (34.5%) participants had a diploma and 6 (6.9%) participants had a certificate. About 32 (36.8%) of the participants were nurses. Other professional disciplines included nutritionists, records officers, supporting staff, social workers among others. Majority of the facilities acknowledged receiving Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols on COVID-19 case management. Regarding knowledge of COVID -19 Almost half (48.3%) of the participants somewhat agreed that health care workers had knowledge of Corona Virus Pandemic, however, most of the respondents (50.6%) strongly disagreed that they are equipped with adequate Knowledge to manage severe Corona Case compared to (8%) respondents who strongly agreed that Corona Virus Incubation period is an average of 7 days and maximum of 14 days. Conclusion: The study concludes that knowledge and preparedness level on COVID - 19 was above average, however, there is need for continuous professional development (CPD) training and support supervision for HCWs to ensure maintenance of appropriate practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further concludes that those with knowledge and are conversant with their respective areas of practice are at less risk, considering that inadequate knowledge is not only a risk factor for poor delivery of WHO approved COVID -19 guidelines met to prevent the spread of COVID -19, but also increases the occupational risk to health care workers.

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Seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Niger State

10.1101/2020.08.04.20168112 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hussaini Majiya ◽

Mohammed Aliyu-Paiko ◽

Vincent Tochukwu Balogu ◽

Dickson Achimugu Musa ◽

Ibrahim Maikudi Salihu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Age Groups ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Sampling Strategy ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The State ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic is ongoing, and to know how far the virus has spread in Niger State, Nigeria, a pilot study was carried out to determine the COVID-19 seroprevalence, patterns, dynamics, and risk factors in the state. A cross sectional study design and clustered-stratified-Random sampling strategy were used. COVID-19 IgG and IgM Rapid Test Kits (Colloidal gold immunochromatography lateral flow system) were used to determine the presence or absence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the blood of sampled participants across Niger State as from 26th June 2020 to 30th June 2020. The test kits were validated using the blood samples of some of the NCDC confirmed positive and negative COVID-19 cases in the State. COVID-19 IgG and IgM Test results were entered into the EPIINFO questionnaire administered simultaneously with each test. EPIINFO was then used for both the descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of the data generated. The seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Niger State was found to be 25.41% and 2.16% for the positive IgG and IgM respectively. Seroprevalence among age groups, gender and by occupation varied widely. A seroprevalence of 37.21% was recorded among health care workers in Niger State. Among age groups, COVID-19 seroprevalence was found to be in order of 30-41 years (33.33%) > 42-53 years (32.42%) > 54-65 years (30%) > 66 years and above (25%) > 6-17 years (19.20%) > 18-29 years (17.65%) > 5 years and below (6.66%). A seroprevalence of 27.18% was recorded for males and 23.17% for females in the state. COVID-19 asymptomatic rate in the state was found to be 46.81%. The risk analyses showed that the chances of infection are almost the same for both urban and rural dwellers in the state. However, health care workers and those that have had contact with person (s) that travelled out of Nigeria in the last six (6) months are twice ( 2 times) at risk of being infected with the virus. More than half (54.59%) of the participants in this study did not practice social distancing at any time since the pandemic started. Discussions about knowledge, practice and attitude of the participants are included. The observed Niger State COVID-19 seroprevalence means that the herd immunity for COVID-19 is yet to be achieved and the population is still susceptible for more infection and transmission of the virus. If the prevalence stays as reported here, the population will definitely need COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. Niger State should fully enforce the use of face/nose masks and observation of social/physical distancing in gatherings including religious gatherings in order to stop or slow the spread of the virus.

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Occupational Exposure of Health-Care Workers to Blood and Body Fluids in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, 2018: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2021/2944158 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Dejene Lemessa ◽

Tesfaye Solomon

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Work Experience ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Body Fluids ◽

Needlestick Injury ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Background. Health-care workers are susceptible to acquiring blood and body fluids borne infections due to their occupations involving contact with patients and their body fluids, although studies conducted in Ethiopia are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude of exposure to blood and body fluids among health-care workers in governmental health facilities in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Materials and Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 19 to June 25, 2018. A total of 381 health-care workers were selected by simple random sampling from 31 sampled governmental health facilities using proportional to size allocation. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, entered into Epi Info version 7, and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated for variables retained in the multivariable logistic regression and significance declared at p < 0.05 . Results. Of 377 health-care workers who participated, the study found that 233 (61.2%) were exposed to blood and body fluids in their lifetime. Previous needlestick injury (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.75), type of health facility (AOR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26–0.68), handwashing practice (AOR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.31), and perceiving at risk (AOR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.98) were protective factors, whereas long work experience (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.13–1.93) was a risk factor for the exposure. Conclusions. Exposures to blood and body fluids during patient care were common among health-care workers in the study area. Therefore, health-care workers especially those newly hired and working in hospitals should pay due attention to their occupation’s safety and regularly practice handwashing during critical times.

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Occupational exposure of health care workers to blood and body fluids in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2019: A cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-587725/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tesfaye Solomon ◽

Dejene Lemessa

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Occupational Exposure ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Body Fluids ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background: Health care workers are at risk of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids even though very few studies were conducted in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the magnitude of exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in governmental health facilities in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.Materials & Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2018. A total of 381 health care workers were selected by simple random sampling from 31 sampled governmental health facilities using proportional to size allocation. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, entered into Epi-info version 7, and analyzed by SPSS version 21. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) computed for variables maintained in the final model of multivariable logistic regression and statistical significance declared at P<0.05.Results: A total of 377 (98.9%) health care workers participated. The study had shown that 233 (61.2%) of health care workers were exposed to blood and body fluids in their lifetime. Previous needle stick injury (AOR=0.30; 95%CI: 0.12-0.75), place of work (AOR=0.42; 95%CI: 0.26-0.68), and work experience (AOR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.13-1.93) were significantly associated factors with exposure to blood and body fluids.Conclusions: Exposures to blood and body fluids during patient care were common among health care workers in the study area. Therefore, health care workers should give due attention to their occupation's safety. Vaccination and in-service training on standard precautions should be provided and monitored for newly recruited health care workers by the health facilities.

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ANTI - SARS-CoV-2 ANTIBODY SCREENING IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL PRESENTATION

10.1101/2021.07.01.21259884 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Suraj Aryal ◽

Sanskriti Pandit ◽

Sushant Pokhrel ◽

Madira Chhusyabaga ◽

Pabitra Bista ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Antibody Screening ◽

Medical College ◽

Healthcare Settings ◽

Care Workers ◽

History Of

Background: Antibody titration and the life span of the antibody against SARS-CoV-2 have been found to be determined by the clinical presentation as well. The extent of exposure of health care workers and the general public to SARS-CoV-2 needs to be assessed to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study is an attempt in assessing the anti-SARs-COV-2 antibody in health care workers. Methods: This laboratory-based cross-sectional study was performed in Manmohan Memorial Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu from November 2020 to January 2021. A total of 185 HCWs were screened for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody in the blood serum specimens . A structured questionnaire was administered to collect information from HCWs. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening was performed using a lateral flow immunoassay. Data were analyzed according to standard statistical methods using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 185 HCWs were participated in the study, among which 41 (22.2%) of them tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Among the 41 individuals who tested positive, 37 of them tested positive for IgG only and 4 of them tested positive for both IgM and IgG antibodies. Presence of history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (p<0.001), presence of flu-like symptoms within the last 6 months (p<0.001), and presence of positive contact history (p=0.002) were statistically significant with antibody screening among HCWs. Conclusion: The burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers seems to be high and HCWs are at risk of acquiring infection in the workplace. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody screening among health care workers is highly recommended in multiple healthcare settings that can help in monitoring transmission dynamics and evaluation of infection control policies.

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Epidemiology of needlestick injuries among health-care workers in Awassa City, Southern Ethiopia

Tropical Doctor ◽

10.1258/td.2009.090191 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 111-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Moges Tadesse ◽

Takele Tadesse

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Needlestick Injury ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Needlestick Injuries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Workers

Accidental needlestick injuries sustained by health-care workers are a common occupational hazard and a public health issue in health-care settings. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and 30.9% of health-care workers had experienced at least one needlestick injury in the previous year.

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