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- Title
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV2 Infections in Health Care Personnel in a Long-Term Care Institution After the First Wave of the Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.
- Authors
Bautista Balbás, Luis Alfredo; Sandino Gómez, Rosa; Gil Conesa, Mario; Velasco Guijarro, Olga; Rodríguez Caravaca, Gil; Jou Rivera, Fernando; Navasquillo Lorda, María Ángeles; Martín Carmena, Enrique
- Abstract
Background: At the time of our study, occupational health evidence specific for long-term care employees was mostly lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of positive cases in employees after the first COVID-19 wave in May 2020. We also determined the prevalence of asymptomatic cases. Method: The study population included all health care workers (HCW) employed at one mid-size long-term hospital in Spain (May 2020). A cross-sectional study design included an interviewer-administered self-reported questionnaire (including sociodemographic questions, risk factors for COVID-19 complications such as hypertension or diabetes, and previous polymerase chain reaction [PCR] results) and antibody determination (Biozek rapid test). Data were analyzed using Student's t, Fisher, and chi-square tests. Two multivariate logistic models were created to evaluate exposure factors and symptoms separately on the outcome of having had COVID-19. Findings: Of the 97% of workers who participated (580/596), 300 (51.7%) suffered symptoms of COVID-19, 161 (27.8%) of the rapid antibody tests were positive for IgM and/or IgG, 160 (27.6%) workers had at least one risk factor, and 32 (19.0%) of the 168 SARS-CoV-2-positive cases were asymptomatic. The proportion of negative or unavailable PCRs, with positive antibody, was 11.7% (56/477). Casual contact without protection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1–3.4), doctor occupation (OR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–10.2), and nursing assistant occupation (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–5.8) were independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion: Physicians and nursing assistants in a long-term care setting were at a higher risk of SARS-COV-2 infection over other occupations in the first wave of the pandemic, especially when in contact with patients without protection. Almost one-fifth of the workers with a positive PCR test for SARS-COV-2 were asymptomatic and seroprevalence (27.8%) was well below the approximated herd immunity cutoff (60–70%). Essential workers in long-term care must be monitored frequently by Employee Health Service and should be required to wear personal protective equipment including a fit-tested N-95 while in close contact with patients and coworkers.
- Subjects
SPAIN; RESEARCH; SEROPREVALENCE; COVID-19; IMMUNOGLOBULINS; CONFIDENCE intervals; CROSS-sectional method; MULTIVARIATE analysis; MEDICAL personnel; INTERVIEWING; FISHER exact test; NURSING care facilities; RISK assessment; IMMUNOASSAY; PEARSON correlation (Statistics); T-test (Statistics); PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; QUESTIONNAIRES; CHI-squared test; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; INDUSTRIAL hygiene; SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors; POLYMERASE chain reaction; LOGISTIC regression analysis; ODDS ratio; DATA analysis software; COVID-19 pandemic; LONG-term health care
- Publication
Workplace Health & Safety, 2023, Vol 71, Issue 5, p229
- ISSN
2165-0799
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/21650799221135587