Background Peru has some of the worst outcomes worldwide as a result of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; it is presumed that this has also affected healthcare workers. This study aimed to establish whether occupation and other non-occupational variables were risk factors for possible reinfection, hospitalization, and mortality from COVID-19 in cohorts of Peruvian healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods Retrospective cohort study. Healthcare workers who presented SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 1, 2020, and August 6, 2021, were included. Occupational cohorts were reconstructed from the following sources of information: National Epidemiological Surveillance System, molecular tests (NETLAB), results of serology and antigen tests (SICOVID-19), National Registry of Health Personnel (INFORHUS), and National Information System of Deaths (SINADEF). The incidence of probable reinfection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 was obtained in the cohorts of technicians and health assistants, nursing staff, midwives, dentists, doctors, and other healthcare workers. We evaluated whether the occupation and other non-occupational variables were risk factors for probable reinfection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 using log-binomial and probit binomial models, obtaining the adjusted relative risk (RRAJ). Results 90,398 healthcare workers were included in the study. Most cases were seen in technicians and health assistants (38.6%), and nursing staff (25.6%). 8.1% required hospitalization, 1.7% died from COVID-19, and 1.8% had probable reinfection. A similar incidence of probable reinfection was found in the six cohorts (1.7–1.9%). Doctors had a higher incidence of hospitalization (13.2%) and death (2.6%); however, they were also those who presented greater susceptibility linked to non-occupational variables (age and comorbidities). The multivariate analysis found that doctors (RRAJ = 1.720; CI 95: 1.569–1.886) had a higher risk of hospitalization and that the occupation of technician and health assistant was the only one that constituted a risk factor for mortality from COVID-19 (RRAJ = 1.256; 95% CI: 1.043–1.512). Conclusions Peruvian technicians and health assistants would have a higher risk of death from COVID-19 than other healthcare workers, while doctors have a higher incidence of death probably linked to the high frequency of non-occupational risk factors. Doctors present a higher risk of hospitalization independent of comorbidities and age; likewise, all occupations show a similar risk of probable reinfection.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the occupation is a risk factor for probable reinfection, hospitalization, and death from COVID 19 in Peruvian healthcare workers infected with SARS CoV2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Healthcare workers who presented SARS CoV 2 infection between March 1, 2020, and August 9, 2021, were included. Occupational cohorts were reconstructed from the following sources of information: the National Epidemiological Surveillance System, molecular tests (NETLAB), results of serology and antigen tests (SICOVID 19), National Registry of Health Personnel (INFORHUS), and National Information System of Deaths (SINADEF). The incidence of probable reinfection, hospitalization, and death from COVID 19 was obtained in the cohorts of health auxiliaries and technicians, nursing staff, obstetricians, physicians, and other healthcare workers. Using a log-binomial generalized linear model, we evaluated whether the occupation was a risk factor for probable reinfection, hospitalization, and death from COVID 19, obtaining the adjusted relative risk (RR AJ). RESULTS: 90,672 healthcare workers were included. 8.1% required hospitalization, 1.7% died from COVID 19, and 2.0% had probable reinfection. A similar incidence of probable reinfection was found in the 5 cohorts (1.9% to 2.2%). Physicians had a higher incidence of hospitalization (13.2%) and death (2.6%); however, they were also those who presented greater susceptibility linked to non-occupational variables such as age and comorbidities. The multivariate analysis found that physicians (RR=1.691; CI 95: 1.556 to 1.837) had a higher risk of hospitalization and that the occupation of health technician and the assistant was the only one that constituted a risk factor for mortality from COVID-19 (RR =1.240; 95% CI: 1.052 to 1.463). CONCLUSIONS: Peruvian health technicians and auxiliaries have a higher risk of death from COVID-19 linked to their occupation, while doctors have higher mortality due to non-occupational factors. Physicians had a higher risk of hospitalization independent of the presence of comorbidities and age; likewise, all occupations had a similar risk of probable reinfection.
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