Determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Italian healthcare workers: a multicenter study

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2, yet limited information is available on risk factors of infection. We pooled data on occupational surveillance of 10,654 HCW who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in six Italian centers. Information was available on demographics, job title, department of employment, source of exposure, use of personal protective equipment (PPEs), and COVID-19-related symptoms. We fitted multivariable logistic regression models to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of infection. The prevalence of infection ranged from 3.0 to 22.0%, and was correlated with that of the respective areas. Women were at lower risk of infection compared to men. Fever, cough, dyspnea and malaise were the symptoms most strongly associated with infection, together with anosmia and ageusia. No differences in the risk of infection were detected according to job title, or working in a COVID-19 designated department. Reported contact with a patient inside or outside the workplace was a risk factor. Use of a mask was strongly protective against risk of infection as was use of gloves. The use of a mask by the source of exposure (patient or colleague) had an independent effect in reducing infection risk.

Association between Long COVID and Overweight/Obesity

“…After the application of strict contagion prevention measures [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] in Bari University Hospital, Southern Italy, our research team performed an exploratory study to identify the characteristics and risk factors of 35-day long-COVID (35-LC) subjects registered between 8 March 2020 and 15 March 2021.…”

Reactogenicity of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in a Young Working Age Population: A Survey among Medical School Residents, within a Mass Vaccination Campaign, in a Regional Reference Teaching Hospital in Italy

“…Healthcare personnel in training, such as resident doctors, have been increasingly deployed on the front lines in the most critical phases of the pandemic, due in part to lack of staffing caused by infection among the workforce [9]. Indeed, previous studies have described the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to occupational exposure on healthcare workers and resident doctors [10][11][12]. Extensive clinical trials were performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this vaccine [13], and further studies have assessed its real world reactogenicity and effectiveness [14,15].…”

Incidence rate of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among nurses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) units versus non–COVID-19-units at a large academic medical center

“…7 Other studies failed to find differences in COVID-19 incidence rates based on COVID-19 unit designation. [5][6] Limitations of our study included the lack of demographics data, comorbidities, presence, and type of symptoms among nursing staff. Further, SARS-CoV-2 positivity was based on selfreported data (by HCW or supervisor) to IOH; although, this was required for any HCW to be placed on home isolation following a positive test.…”

“…A few studies have compared the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 sero-positivity or incidence of COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) based on their degree of exposure to COVID-19 patients, but these data show conflicting results. [1][2][3][4][5] Here, we aimed to longitudinally characterize the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections among nurses working in COVID-19 units vs. non-COVID-19 units throughout the first year of the pandemic. IOH database, and thus not available for this investigation.…”