Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
03:53

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses

Published on: November 10, 2023

1.3K

Factors Associated With Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in an Urban-Setting Malaysia Hospital

Jun Fai Yap1,2, Rui Jie Ng1,2, Si Ming Chin1

  • 1Department of Public Health, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
|March 6, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Most healthcare workers (HCWs) contracted COVID-19 outside the hospital. Factors like female sex, age over 30, full vaccination, and support roles reduced workplace transmission risk.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Occupational Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant risks to healthcare workers (HCWs).
  • Understanding workplace transmission dynamics is crucial for hospital safety.
  • Previous studies highlighted various risk factors for HCW infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate factors associated with COVID-19 transmission among HCWs in a Malaysian tertiary hospital.
  • To differentiate between workplace and non-workplace COVID-19 acquisition in HCWs.
  • To identify protective and risk factors for in-hospital COVID-19 transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional analysis of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases among HCWs.
  • Data collected from January 25, 2020, to September 10, 2021.
  • Statistical analysis to determine factors associated with workplace transmission.

Main Results:

  • 897 HCWs were infected; 37.4% suspected workplace acquisition.
  • Lower odds of workplace transmission: female sex, age ≥30, full vaccination, clinical support roles.
  • Higher odds of workplace transmission: direct COVID-19 patient care (aOR=3.53).
  • Majority of infections originated from non-workplace settings.

Conclusions:

  • While most HCW COVID-19 infections occurred outside the hospital, workplace transmission is a significant concern.
  • Vaccination, age, sex, and job role influence workplace transmission risk.
  • Comprehensive strategies are needed to mitigate both workplace and community-acquired COVID-19 risks among HCWs.

Keywords:
COVID-19 vaccinationSARS-CoV-2hospitaloutbreakworkplace risk factors

More Related Videos

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia04:32

Murine Oropharyngeal Aspiration Model of Ventilator-associated and Hospital-acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Published on: June 28, 2018

11.9K
Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions09:02

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

1.5K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.1K
Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic01:26

Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur in a healthcare facility while a person receives care for another ailment. This category also includes work-related infections among healthcare staff.
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
4.3K
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
2.7K
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
297
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment01:25

Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

Transmission-based precautions are for patients infected or suspected to be infected (or colonized) with organisms posing a significant risk to others. The transmission precautions include airborne and protective environment precautions.
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
1.3K
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
4.3K