scholarly journals Incidence of Reported Flu-Like Syndrome Cases in Brazilian Health Care Workers in 2020 (March to June)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5952
Author(s):  
Ada Ávila Assunção ◽  
Emanuella Gomes Maia ◽  
Renata Jardim ◽  
Tânia Maria de Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics ◽  
General Community

Health care workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19. This study aimed to characterize flu-like syndrome cases (FS) in HCWs notified in Brazil and compare them with FS cases in the general community (GC). In the Brazilian protocol, FS corresponds to a suspected case of COVID-19. The manuscript analyzed cases of FS in five Brazilian states, estimating the incidence rates of cases of FS and clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Registered cases (March to June 2020) totaled about 1,100,000 cases of FS. HCWs represented 17% of the registers, whose incidence was 20.41/100 vs. 2.15/100 in the GC. FS cases in HCWs concentrated the highest percentages in the age group of 30 to 49 years (65.15%) and among the nursing staff (46.86%). This study was the first interstate evaluation in Brazil to estimate suspected cases of FS by COVID-19 in HCWs. In order to control the spread of viral respiratory infections in HCWs, including COVID-19, it is necessary to review the management of health information to identify who they are, how many they are, and to what situations these workers are most frequently exposed, as well as in what professions they have. This information can guide specific, practical, and far-reaching actions.

scholarly journals Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 among High-Risk Groups: Findings from Serosurveys in 6 Urban Areas of Odisha, India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikanta Kanungo ◽  
Sidhartha Giri ◽  
Debdutta Bhattacharya ◽  
Jaya Singh Kshatri ◽  
Subrata Kumar Palo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Police Personnel ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background: Personnel involved in essential services or residing in high risk areas during the COVID-19 pandemic are at increased risk of getting infected, and higher infection rates among such personnel can paralyze these services due to shortage of staff. Evaluating the proportion of personnel infected can be done using seroprevalence studies or serosurveys.Methods: During July to November, 2020, individuals from multiple high risk groups in 6 urban centres in the state of Odisha, India, which included health care workers, police personnel, municipality/ sanitation staff, residents of urban slums, vendors, press staff, and prisoners, were recruited into the study after obtaining written informed consent. Blood samples collected from the study participants were tested for IgG antibodies against COVID-19 in Roche Cobas e441. Information on socio-demographic variables, association with a confirmed or suspected case, symptoms profile of individuals within 30 days, travel and history of testing for COVID-19 were collected. All the statistical analyses were performed using STATA 16.0 (Stata corp., Texas). A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 5434 individuals included in the final analysis, the overall COVID-19 seroprevalence was found to be 34.9% (95% CI 33.6-36.2). The seroprevalence varied from 21.8% (95% CI 19.6-24.1) in Rourkela to 54.9% (95% CI 51.5-58.2) in Bhubaneswar. Seropositivity was maximum among prisoners (47.7%, 138/289), followed by municipality/ sanitation staff (43.5%, 330/758), other office going staff (40.8%, 183/448), slum residents and vendors (39.8%, 252/633), police personnel (38.3%, 354/922), health care workers (27.1%, 536/1977), press staff (27.2%, 18/66) and residents of containment zones (25.2%, 86/341). On multivariate logistic regression, participants aged 18-29 years, 30-44 years, residents of slums and vending zone, municipality staffs, prisoners, residents of urban sites Malkangiri, Cuttack, Paralakhemundi and Bhubaneswar and those with previous history of confirmed COVID-19 were found to be independent co-relates of seropositivity.Conclusions: Risk of COVID-19 infection varied among the various high risk groups of Odisha. Periodic seroprevalence studies in future is essential to protect personnel involved in frontline activities during the ongoing pandemic.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk indicators of first-wave COVID-19 among oral health-care workers: A French epidemiological survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246586
Author(s):  
Sébastien Jungo ◽  
Nathan Moreau ◽  
Marco E. Mazevet ◽  
Anne-Laure Ejeil ◽  
Martin Biosse Duplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
Risk Indicators ◽  
Clinical Phenotypes ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Dental Assistants

Background Previous studies have highlighted the increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 for health-care workers and suggest that oral health-care workers may carry the greatest risk. Considering the transmission route of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a similar increased risk can be hypothesized for other respiratory infections. However, no study has specifically assessed the risk of contracting COVID-19 within the dental profession. Methods An online survey was conducted within a population of French dental professionals between April 1 and April 29, 2020. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore risk indicators associated with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and COVID-19-related clinical phenotypes (i.e. phenotypes present in 15% or more of SARS-CoV-2-positive cases). Results 4172 dentists and 1868 dental assistants responded to the survey, representing approximately 10% of French oral health-care workers. The prevalence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 was 1.9% for dentists and 0.8% for dental assistants. Higher prevalence was found for COVID-19-related clinical phenotypes both in dentists (15.0%) and dental assistants (11.8%). Chronic kidney disease and obesity were associated with increased odds of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, whereas working in a practice limited to endodontics was associated with decreased odds. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of public transportation and having a practice limited to periodontology were associated with increased odds of presenting a COVID-19-related clinical phenotype. Moreover, changes in work rhythm or clinical practice were associated with decreased odds of both outcomes. Conclusions Although oral health-care professionals were surprisingly not at higher risk of COVID-19 than the general population, specific risk indicators could exist, notably among high aerosol-generating dental subspecialties such as periodontology. Considering the similarities between COVID-19-related clinical phenotypes other viral respiratory infections, lessons can be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the usefulness of equipping and protecting oral health-care workers, notably during seasonal viral outbreaks, to limit infection spread. Impact Results from this study may provide important insights for relevant health authorities regarding the overall infection status of oral health-care workers in the current pandemic and draw attention to particular at-risk groups, as illustrated in the present study. Protecting oral health-care workers could be an interesting public health strategy to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 and/or the emergence of new pandemics.

scholarly journals Universal COVID-19 screening of 4040 health care workers in a resource-limited setting: an Egyptian pilot model in a university with 12 public hospitals and medical centers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Mostafa ◽  
Sahar Kandil ◽  
Manal H El-Sayed ◽  
Samia Girgis ◽  
Hala Hafez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Pilot Model ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract Background The scale of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among health care workers (HCWs), particularly in resource-limited settings, remains unclear. To address this concern, universal (non-symptom-based) screening of HCWs was piloted to determine the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the associated epidemiological and clinical risk factors at a large public health care facility in Egypt. Methods Baseline voluntary screening of 4040 HCWs took place between 22 April and 14 May 2020 at 12 hospitals and medical centres in Cairo. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected using an online survey. All participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid IgM and IgG serological tests. Results Of the 4040 HCWs screened, 170 [4.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6-4.9] tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by either of the three tests (i.e. infected); 125/170 (73.5%) tested PCR-positive. Most infected HCWs were nurses (97/170, 57.5%). Median age of infected HCWs was 31.5 [interquartile range (IQR): 27.0–41.3] years. Of infected HCWs, 78 (45.9%) reported contact with a suspected case and 47 (27.6%) reported face-to-face contact within 2 m with a confirmed case. The proportion of infection among symptomatic HCWs (n = 54/616) was 8.8% (95% CI: 6.7-11.3); 6/54 (11.1%) had fever ≥38°C and 7/54 (13.0%) reported severe symptoms. Most infected HCWs were asymptomatic (116/170, 68.2%). The proportion of infection among asymptomatic HCWs (n = 116/3424) was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.0). Conclusions The high rate of asymptomatic infections among HCWs reinforces the need for expanding universal regular testing. The infection rate among symptomatic HCWs in this study is comparable with the national rate detected through symptom-based testing. This suggests that infections among HCWs may reflect community rather than nosocomial transmission during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt.

scholarly journals Risk of COVID-19 among front-line health-care workers and the general community: a prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. e475-e483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long H Nguyen ◽  
David A Drew ◽  
Mark S Graham ◽  
Amit D Joshi ◽  
Chuan-Guo Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prospective Cohort ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
General Community

scholarly journals FluMob: Enabling Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections in Health-care Workers via Mobile Phones

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
May Oo Lwin ◽  
Chee Fu Yung ◽  
Peiling Yap ◽  
Karthikayen Jayasundar ◽  
Anita Sheldenkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Acute Respiratory Infections ◽  
Care Workers

scholarly journals High risk procedures and respiratory infections in hospital health care workers – quantifying the risk

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. e379 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. MacIntyre ◽  
D. Dwyer ◽  
H. Seale ◽  
W. Quanyi ◽  
Z. Yi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Care Workers

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF LATENT TB INFECTION AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS, ALJAZEERA STATE TB CENTERS, SUDAN

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 465-470
Author(s):  
Juhaina Abdulraiem AL Mosharaf ◽  
Adam Abdalla Mater
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Skin Test ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Latent Tuberculosis ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Treatment Center ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk

Health care workers (HCW) are at increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from occupational exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The objective was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for LTBI among primary HCW in Aljazeera state Sudan. We conducted an analytical study, among HCW in TB treatment center using a structured questionnaire and an evaluated for LTBI using the tuberculin skin test among 367 HCW, the LTBI prevalence was 35.7%. (64.5%), We found that the following factors associated with LTBI in HCW were in age group 30-40 years was 63% ,75.2% of the participants didn't do the skin test for TB, and the high risk among the  lab technician represented 41.2%. Our study recommended implementation of sound TB infection control measures in all health care facilities with patients suspected of having infectious.

scholarly journals Attitudes towards preventive tuberculosis treatment among hospital staff

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1738 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vidya Pathak ◽  
Zinta Harrington ◽  
Claudia C. Dobler
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Latent Tb

Background.Healthcare workers have an increased risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), but previous studies suggested that they might be reluctant to accept preventive tuberculosis (TB) treatment. We aimed to examine doctors’ and nurses’ experience of TB screening and to explore their attitudes towards preventive TB treatment.Methods.We conducted a survey among randomly selected healthcare workers at a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia, using a paper-based questionnaire.Results.A total of 1,304 questionnaires were distributed and 311 (24%) responses were received. The majority of hospital staff supported preventive TB treatment in health care workers with evidence of latent TB infection (LTBI) in general (74%, 164/223) and for them personally (81%, 198/244) while 80 and 53 healthcare workers respectively had no opinion on the topic. Staff working in respiratory medicine were significantly less likely to support preventive TB treatment in health care workers in general or for them personally if they would have evidence of LTBI compared to other specialties (p= 0.001). Only 13% (14/106) of respondents with evidence of LTBI indicated that they had been offered preventive TB treatment. Twenty-one percent (64/306) of respondents indicated that they did not know the difference between active and latent TB. Among staff who had undergone testing for LTBI, only 33% (75/230) felt adequately informed about the meaning of their test results.Discussion.Hospital staff in general had positive attitudes towards preventive TB treatment, but actual treatment rates were low and perceived knowledge about LTBI was insufficient among a significant proportion of staff. The gap between high support for preventive TB treatment among staff and low treatment rates needs to be addressed. Better education on the concept of LTBI and the meaning of screening test results is required.

scholarly journals Development of an Objective Risk Stratification Tool to facilitate workplace assessments of healthcare workers when dealing with the CoViD-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
W David Strain ◽  
Janusz Jankowski ◽  
Angharad Davies ◽  
Peter MB English ◽  
Ellis Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Stratification ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
List Type ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Objective Risk ◽  
Risk Stratification Tool

SummaryHealthcare workers have a greater exposure to individuals with confirmed SARS-novel coronavirus 2, and thus a higher probability of contracting coronavirus disease (CoViD)-19, than the general population. Employers have a duty of care to minimise the risk for their employees. Several bodies including the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, NHS Employers, and Public Health England have published a requirement to perform risk assessments for all health care workers, however, with the absence of an objective risk stratification tool, comparing assessments between individuals is difficult if not impossible. Using published data, we explored the predictive role of basic demographics such as age, sex, ethnicity and comorbidities in order to establish an objective risk stratification tool that could help risk allocate duties to health care workers. We developed an objective risk stratification tool using a Caucasian female <50years of age with no comorbidities as a reference. Each point allocated to risk factors was associated with an approximate doubling in risk. This tool was then validated against the primary care-based analysis. This tool provides objective support for employers when determining which healthcare workers should be allocated to high-risk vs. lower risk patient facing clinical duties or to remote supportive roles.Strengths and limitations of this studyThere is an increased risk of mortality in the clinical workforce due to the effects of CoViD-19.This manuscript outlines a simple risk stratification tool that helps to quantify an individual’s biological riskThis will assist team leaders when allocating roles within clinical departments.This tool does not incorporate other external factors, such as high-risk household members or those at higher risk of mental health issues, that may require additional consideration when allocating clinical duties in an appropriate clinical domain.This population-based analysis did not explain for the very high risk observed in BAME healthcare workers suggesting there are other issues at play that require addressing. BAME healthcare workers suggesting there are other issues at play that require addressing.

scholarly journals Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and risk factors in health care workers

2020 ◽  
pp. 606-619
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
The People ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gender Knowledge ◽  
Reporting Method

The COVID-19 pandemic verifies the preparation of medical care in individual countries in terms of the fluent of guaranteed medical services provided to the people in need. Due to the easy spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus when in direct contact with the patients, health care workers are at an increased risk of infection. Nurses and auxiliary staff, as well as medical doctors, were most frequently infected. The prevalence of infection depends on the adopted reporting method, including the diagnostic test used to recognize the infection, the nature of the work performed, but also on the gender, knowledge, and individual behavior of employees while performing their professional duties. It ranges from 5-30% depending on the country and the occupational group, and the highest rates were recorded in the initial phase of the pandemic. A review of the literature shows the lack of a uniform, transparent system of reporting infections in health care workers, which makes a reliable assessment of the epidemiological situation in this area difficult.

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