High Infection Risk Among Health Care Workers During the First SARS-CoV-2 Wave in Niamey, Niger.

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presented significant exposure risks for frontline healthcare workers (HCWs).
• Understanding risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs in Niger is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to COVID-19 patients in Niger.
• To identify protective measures and risk determinants for HCWs during the early stages of the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study was conducted among 129 HCWs in Niamey from March to June 2020.
• Data collected via questionnaires, RT-PCR, and serological testing at baseline, Day 15, and Day 30.
• Univariate and Cox regression analyses were employed to identify risk and protective factors.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of COVID-19 at inclusion was 34.9%.
• The first-month attack incidence rate was 440 per 1000 person-months among seronegative HCWs.
• Alcohol-based handwashing significantly reduced infection risk (RR=0.28, p=0.01), while females showed higher risk (RR=2, p=0.049).

Conclusions:

• Healthcare workers in Niger experienced a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Findings underscore the need for enhanced training on preventive measures for HCWs.
• Improved access to personal protective equipment in high-risk wards is essential to mitigate infection rates.