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Frequency, Associated Risk Factors, and Characteristics of COVID-19 Among Healthcare Personnel in a Spanish Health
Natividad Algado-Sellés1, Paula Gras-Valentí1, Pablo Chico-Sánchez1
1Epidemiology Unit, Preventive Medicine Service, Alicante University General Hospital, Alicante, Spain; Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain.
Insights
Healthcare personnel experienced a 4.0% prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nonprotected exposure significantly increased COVID-19 risk, and males were more likely to require hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at high risk of COVID-19 infection.
- Understanding transmission dynamics within healthcare settings is crucial for effective control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency, risk factors, and characteristics of COVID-19 cases among HCP.
- To inform strategies for disease prevention and control in healthcare settings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of HCP with symptoms or contact with COVID-19 patients from March 2 to April 19, 2020.
- Analysis of demographic and professional characteristics, exposure types, and outcomes.
- Logistic regression and chi-square tests were used to identify risk factors and associations.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of COVID-19 among HCP was 4.0%.
- Nonprotected exposure was associated with a 2.2-fold increased risk of COVID-19.
- Male HCP with COVID-19 had a 4.9-fold higher odds of hospitalization compared to females.
Conclusions:
- Surveillance of HCP is vital for understanding COVID-19 risk factors.
- Findings can guide the refinement of prevention and control strategies for HCP during pandemics.
Introduction:
This study examines the frequency, associated factors, and characteristics of healthcare personnel coronavirus disease 2019 cases in a healthcare department that comprises a tertiary hospital and its associated 12 primary healthcare centers.
Methods:
This study included healthcare personnel that showed symptoms or were in contact with a coronavirus disease 2019 case patient from March 2, 2020 to April 19, 2020. Their evolution and characteristics (age, sex, professional category, type of contact) were recorded. Correlations between the different characteristics and risk of developing coronavirus disease 2019 and severe coronavirus disease 2019 were analyzed using chi-square tests. Their magnitudes were quantified with ORs, AORs, and their 95% CIs using a logistic regression model.
Results:
Of the 3,900 healthcare professionals in the department, 1,791 (45.9%) showed symptoms or were part of a contact tracing study. The prevalence of those with symptoms was 20.1% (784/3,900; 95% CI=18.8, 21.4), with coronavirus disease 2019 was 4.0% (156/3,900; 95% CI=3.4, 4.6), and with severe coronavirus disease 2019 was 0.5% (18/3,900; 95% CI=0.2, 0.7). The frequency of coronavirus disease 2019 in symptomatic healthcare personnel with a nonprotected exposure was 22.8% (112/491) and 13.7% (40/293) in those with a protected exposure (AOR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2, 3.9). The service in which the healthcare personnel performed their activity was not significantly associated with being diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019. A total of 26.3% (10/38) of male healthcare personnel with coronavirus disease 2019 required hospitalization, compared with 6.8% (8/118) among female healthcare personnel (OR=4.9, 95% CI=1.8, 13.6).
Conclusions:
A surveillance and monitoring program centred on healthcare personnel enables an understanding of the risk factors that lead to coronavirus disease 2019 among this population. This knowledge allows the refinement of the strategies for disease control and prevention in healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
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